Ray Alspach

Ray Alspach, 79, of Robinson, IL, died at 4:42 a.m. (EST) on Thursday, November 1, 2018 at Regional Hospital in Terre Haute, IN. He was born October 12, 1939 in Patoka, IL, the son of Ernest E. Alspach & Nina E. (Bond) Alspach, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Harry Alspach. He married Gayla Ruth Pethtel on November 14, 1960, and she passed November 9th, 2018, a mere eight days after Ray's death. They are survived by their children & their spouses, Trudy (Alspach) & Donald Condrey (Robinson, IL) and Bruce & Lori Alspach (West York, IL); and their grandchildren, Tyler Condrey (Wilmington, DE), Deena Condrey (Newburgh, IN), Graham & Jennifer Alspach (Hutsonville, IL), and Mandi Alspach (West York, IL). He is also survived by his siblings, Charles & Betty Alspach (Oblong, IL), Barbara (Alspach) & Melvin Knoblett (Dadeville, AL), and Scott Alspach (Noble, IL); by his brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Dwight & Nina Pethtel (Robinson, IL), Duane & Brenda Pethtel (Greenville, KY), Rick & Linda Pethtel (Palestine, IL), Craig York (Palestine, IL); as well as several nieces and nephews. Ray grew up in the Hardinville area and was a 1957 graduate of Oblong High School. He would go on to proudly serve his country as a Radio Teletype Operator in the U.S. Army from 1963 until 1965 before transferring to the Army Reserves, with whom he served until 1969. Back home in Illinois, he went to work for Kraft Foods in Champaign before moving to Robinson, where he got on at L.S. Heath & Sons. He would eventually start working at Briggs Mfg Co., where he would eventually retire after 33 years of service. Away from work, he was quite the outdoorsman, and spent countless hours hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, and gardening. He was also something of a karaoke enthusiast, and this brought him (and many, many others) countless hours of entertainment. Though he had interests and passions, nothing was nearly as important to him as his family. Gayla was his life. His children were his pride. His grandchildren, his joy. They will remember their father and “Pappy” as a very kind and humble man who left his mark on all who knew him. A shared time of visitation for Ray and Gayla will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 14th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 15th at the funeral home with Pastor Tim Watson officiating. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Robinson Fire Department or to the Crawford County Rescue Squad. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.