Ray William Newman, Jr.

Ray Newman, 69, of Palestine, IL, died at 1:38 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, September 7, 2019, at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN. He was born April 27, 1950, in Palestine to Ray W. Newman & Anna Mae (Long) Newman, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Joy Newman; by his brother, Michael Ray Newman; and by his granddaughter, Skylar Rain Gower. He is survived by his best friend and partner, Tandee Wesley-Morris; by his daughters & sons-in-law, Nikki & Jeff Craig, Joy & Travis Miller, and Macie Newman; by his grandchildren, Cade Fulling, Addie Miller, Logan Miller, Chloe Fulling, Amyah Newman, and Aria Newman; by his great-grandchild, Eden Skye Keeler; by his brother & sister-in-law, Patrick J. & Karen Newman; by his sister & brother-in-law, Anita & Ron Bachelor; as well as several nieces and nephews. Ray grew up in the Porterville area and attended Porterville Grade School before graduating from Robinson High School in 1968. He would go on to serve our country in the National Guard from 1968-1970. It was at this time in his life that he briefly became a police officer in Palestine before getting on at E.H. Baare, where he made several friendships that would last a lifetime. Eventually, he became a salesman for Vincennes Industrial Supply and then Wholesale Drainage Supply, from whom he retired in 2008. If the trinkets found in his back yard were any indication, much of his time away from work was spent tinkering. From an early age, his father engrained in him a passion for working on old cars, and years later, he still loved to tell stories of times spent under the hood with his dad. In fact, Ray loved telling stories, period. His folksy delivery had a way of taking you back with him, making you feel like you were right there and part of his story; and in your captivation, chances were that he'd have a smile on your face! Simply said, Ray was funny. He had this inherent, one-of-a-kind wit that further cemented his place as a master storyteller! Anyone who knew him could attest to the fact that Ray loved spending time outdoors. He could often be found searching for arrowheads along the river and spent many an hour fishing on its banks, as well as at countless local ponds. Countless hours were spent in his garden, growing delicious tomatoes as well as gourds, which he would make into make into birdhouses. He also had a fascination with old barns, which comes as no surprise, seeing as Ray Newman was decidedly "old school". He was never one for cell phones or much of modern technology, with the notable exception of Facebook, where he would always post "once again from the flat high grounds, about a half-mile due west of the mighty Wabash River". It could be said that through all of it's ups and downs, he always came at life with a smile, a laugh, and of course, love. Though they might have butted heads from time to time, he loved his family with every fiber of his being, and often showed it through his cooking, namely his famous vegetable soup. He found great joy in coaching his girls' softball teams and was especially proud of the women they have become. They, along with his grandchildren and the rest of his beloved family, will continue telling his story through the lives that they lead. He has left an impact that will last a lifetime. Ray was a longtime member of both the Palestine Masonic Lodge #849 and the Palestine Fraternal Order of Eagles. A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 13th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Masonic funeral rites will be rendered by the Palestine Masonic Lodge #849 at 6:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home with a celebration of Ray's life to immediately follow. Celebrant Curt Goodwine will officiate. Fittingly, there will be an opportunity for family and friends to tell stories of times spent alongside the master storyteller himself. Memorial contributions may be made to his memorial fund, with checks made payable to "Goodwine Funeral Homes". Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.