Raymond "Gene" E Bristol

Raymond "Gene" Bristol aka “Grandpa Ahoogah”, 86, of Peoria, Illinois passed away on Thursday, February 17, 2022 in West Plains, MO with his loving wife, step daughter, son-n-law and granddaughter by his side, ushering him into heaven with scriptures being read. Grandpa Aoogah has now “Gone Fishin” forever in heaven.

Gene was born August 13, 1935 in Peoria to Almon and Mary (Marme) Bristol. He married Dorothy Livingston on April 5, 1980 in Peoria. She survives.

Also surviving are two step-children, Dr. Susan (Dr. Michael) Detweiler of Koshkonong, MO and Bruce (Karen) Callahan of Peoria; nine grandchildren; Molly King, Riley Hanrahan, Lee Callahan, Ali Berry, Sarah Huffman, Kelly Crusen, Levi Detweiler, Teodora Detweiler, fourteen great-grandchildren, nephews Mark and Doug Addler and nieces Georgia Lewis, and Nancy Thomas

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Virginia Hoskins, Anna Louise Novotny, Erma Addler, one niece Joanie Novotny and one grandson R. Michael Detweiler.

Gene served in the U.S. Army. He was owner and operator of Central Illinois Lathing for over 10 years and then with Lathers Local #36. Gene was a longtime member and Deacon at First Christian Church in Peoria. He was also a past member of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Peoria, Mohammed Temple Shrine, Illinois Blue Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Mason. Gene served as a trustee for the Carpenter's Local 183, was an instructor at the Carpenter's Apprentice School. He was very active in Drag Racing in his younger days and was a lifelong fisherman who taught all his grandchildren and many of his great grandchildren how to fish and more importantly how to clean what they caught. He and Dorothy loved to travel and fish and had innumerable adventures in their camper and on the water. They cherished wintering in Harlingen Texas for over 25 years and made many lifelong friends from all over the United States. They loved life together and lived it well.

Cremation has been accorded and a memorial service will be on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 2:30 PM, with visitation one hour prior to the service at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. Burial of the urn will be at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals or All God’s Children International of Portland Oregon, www.allgodschildren.org, attention Bulgarian ministry.