Obituary - Raymond Lile Rukes

 Raymond Lile Rukes

Raymond Lile Rukes, 69, of Chilhowee, Missouri died Thursday, September 22, 2016 at his home. He was born on September 26, 1946 in Clinton, Mo., the son of Charles Raymond Rukes and Velma Loree (Johnson) Rukes.

He married Carol K. Sommerer on September 26, 1979, in Miami, Oklahoma, and she survives of the home.

He was employed as a heavy equipment operator and grade checker for forty-five years, retiring in 2009. He was a veteran of the Missouri Army National Guard where he received the Expert Badge-Rifle M-1. Raymond was a 1964 graduate of Clinton High School, Clinton, Mo., attended Parks Chapel Baptist Church in Tightwad, Mo., and also First Baptist Church in Clinton, and was a member of the Laborers Union #1290. He enjoyed garden tractor pulling, fishing, raising cattle, target practice (varmints), and reading western novels.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by five daughters, Cathy Foster and husband Bill, Clinton, Mo., Cheri Wilson and husband Russell, Clinton, Mo., Tabitha Milam, London, Kentucky, Samantha Phillips, Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, and Janette Purinton and husband Brian, Chilhowee, Mo.; fifteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three sisters, Shirley Ferro and husband Robert, Joplin, Mo., Joyce Baxter and husband Richard, Ava, Mo., and Marlene Dunlop and husband Mike, North Kansas City, Mo.; two sisters-in-law, Sandra Konitzer, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Carla Sommerer, Cape Coral, Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, James Rukes in 1987.

As per Raymond's wishes, no services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton.