Raymond "Ray" A. Standaert

He was born on April 26, 1935, in Kewanee, to Raymond and Florence (VerShaw) Standaert. Ray married his high school sweetheart, Martha "Marty" Hamilton on September 17, 1954 in Ft Chaffee, AK.

As a youth, he helped to provide for his family, financially. He was an altar boy in the Catholic Church and he was active in Boy Scouts, achieving the Eagle Scout badge. Ray was a Boy Scout Leader over his sons, who also became Eagle Scouts. He volunteered within the church and community serving in many different ways.

Ray joined the United States Army in 1954 and retired after 20 years of service. While in service, he was stationed in Germany, Vietnam, Okinawa and Korea, to name a few. After retiring from the military, he did various jobs from janitorial and maintenance, to a realtor, to factory work and donut deliveries, and even owned and operated a diner.

For over 50 years he was a member of the AA program and recently had joined Al-Anon. He volunteered in all aspects of these programs, which he was devoted to and dearly loved.

He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, along with being an inspiration to many. He and his wife, Marty, were very supportive of their six children and helped in the rearing of their youngest daughter's four young children while she recovered from a brain aneurysm. During this time, he and his wife moved to Bloomington from Kewanee and became exclusively involved with the Bloomington Salvation Army, as well as with the local AA and Al-Anon Programs.

Surviving are his six children, Christine (Bob) Stites, Hopkinsville, KY, Mark (Dorothy) Standaert, Kimberly, WI, Ramona Chapman, Colorado Springs, CO, Laura Frahm, Bloomington, John (Christina) Standaert, San Diego, CA and Rose Cook, Bloomington. Also surviving are 20 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren; sister, Mary Marquez, Peru, IL and brother, Frederick (Marilyn) Standaert, Hatboro, PA.

He was preceded in death by his wife on September 12, 2023; a grandson, Sam Cook and sister, Margaret Gillette.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, October 16, 2026 at the Salvation Army Church, 701 W. Washington Street, Bloomington, IL 61701. Cremation rites have been accorded by East Lawn Funeral Home, Bloomington.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Doctors Without Borders, Mercy Ship or the Salvation Army.

To share condolences with the family and view his online tribute, please visit EastLawnMemorial.com