Ray Norman Nitzsche

Ray was born on September 23, 1944, in Walsh, IL, to Otis Wilsey and Gladys Frances (Wesbecher) Nitzsche. He married Mitze Ann DeRousse on August 26, 1966.

Surviving are his wife, Mitze; his daughters, Valerie (Dan) Wiest of Sparland, IL, and Amy Popp of Peoria, IL; and four grandchildren, Cordelia and Katherine Wiest and Riley and Miranda Popp. Also surviving are his brother, Allen (Marge) Nitzsche of College Mound, MO, and sister-in-law, Janet Nitzsche of Tallahassee, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Wayne.

Ray graduated from the University of Illinois with a PhD in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (Engineering). He worked for both Caterpillar and Whirlpool and was a professor at the University of Missouri and St Louis University. Ray was a naturalist. He enjoyed woodworking and developed and ran his own peach orchard for several years.

Cremation rites will be accorded and a memorial service will be held at 1:30pm, on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at the Universalist Unitarian Church in Peoria. Memorials may be made to Gift of Hope or Heartlands Conservancy. Online condolences may be made through www.davison-fulton-andersonchapel.com.