Raymond Stepson

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Raymond Stepson, 90, of Dowell, passed away at 6:00 P.M., Monday, December 8, 2008 at the Helia Healthcare in Carbondale.

Ray had been a farmer. He was of the Catholic faith. He was a member of the Perry County Farm Bureau.

He was born February 4, 1918 at Perry County, IL, the son of John and Anna (Nowakowski) Szczepanski.

He married Ann Cobin Kmucha on July 28, 1966 at Royalton, IL and she preceded him in death on July 8, 2005.

He is survived by two daughters - Joann Smith and husband Dale of Dowell and Betty Jean Stepson, four grandchildren - Jeff, Rodney, Julie and Rick, seven great grandchildren - Grace, Hannah, Tyler, Emily, Dakota, Hunter, and Alex, one sister - Bernadine Geppert of Oakdale, two brothers - Lawrence Szczepanski of Tamaroa and Ralph Szczepanski of Wisconsin, and special friend - Carol at Helia Healthcare.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one son - Tommy Stepson, three brothers - Joe, William, and Walter, and one sister - Evelyn Geppert.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin with Msgr. Harry J. Jerome officiating.

Friends may call from 1 P.M. until the time of service on Thursday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.

Burial will be in the St. Charles Cemetery at Du Bois, IL.

For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.