Raymond Wolfe Obituary

Raymond Edson Wolfe, 86, of Elmhurst, IL, died December 25th in Elmhurst due to complications from pneumonia. He was born January 14th, 1925 in Peoria, IL, the son of Charles and Winifred (Stanton) Wolfe. Ray spent his younger years in Teaneck, NJ and was an eye-witness to both the crash of the German dirigible Hindenburg in Lakehurst, NJ and Lou Gehrig Day at Yankee Stadium in New York. Ray's family moved to Elmhurst, IL in the late 1930s where Ray attended York High School. During World War II, Ray served as a fire controlman on several ships in the Pacific including the cruiser Oakland. After the war Ray attended the University of Illinois in Champaign and married Mary Lou Hildenbrand in 1949. Ray's career as a safety inspector at the Home Insurance Company in Chicago spanned parts of four decades. He was also active in the Elmhurst American Legion, Little League and Jaycees. An avid reader of books on American history, Ray also enjoyed doing the daily crossword puzzle. Less happily, he was also a fan of the Chicago Cubs. Ray is survived by his children, Christine McCurdy (Paul) of Warrenville, IL, Thomas Wolfe (Barbara Wallace) of Evanston, IL, and two grandchildren, Emma Rose Wolfe and Margaret Wolfe, also of Evanston, IL. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Lou; his parents; and two brothers, Donald and Richard. There will be a private memorial service in the spring. Ray will be sorely missed.