Raymond K. Wright

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Raymond K. Wright, 76, of Dowell, passed away at 12:28 p.m., Monday, Aug. 10, 2009 at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.

Raymond had worked as a truck loader and in the warehouse at Coca-Cola Bottling Company for forty-four years. He was a member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in DeSoto. He was a member of the Dowell American Legion. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

He was born Nov. 10, 1932 at Dowell, Ill., the son of James and Verda (Anderson) Wright.

He married Kathryn M. Shepard on Oct. 4, 1958 at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in DeSoto and she survives.

He is survived by his wife of Dowell, one son - Kevin Wright and wife Tama of Elkville, one daughter - Lori Gates and husband Marvin of Benton, four grandchildren - Rebecca Wright of Dowell, Danielle Helmer of Chicago, Justin Gates of Benton and Jason Gates of Virginia, two great grandchildren - Logan Morgan and Nolan Morgan, two sisters - Opal Shaw of Robinson and Ruth Mann of Dowell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson - Will Wright, four brothers - Robert Wright, Ed Wright, Harold Wright, and Carl Wright, and three sisters - Vera Kinstler, Agnes Reese, and Betty Wright.

Funeral services were at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009 at the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church at DeSoto with Rev. Timothy A. Bean officiating.

Friends were able to call from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin and from 9:00 a.m. until 9:45 a.m., Thursday at the church.

Burial was in the Elkville Cemetery at Elkville.

Military graveside rites were conducted.

Friends may make memorials to the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church Elevator Fund and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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