Raymond A. Wade, 91, of Pittsfield formerly of Florence, IL passed away Monday, August 17, 2009 at Illini Community Hospital in Pittsfield, IL.

Raymond was born November 25, 1917 near Florence, IL a son of Owen and Cynthia Neff Wade.  He married Ellen M. Brown April 24, 1940 in Bowling Green, MO. and she preceded him in death November 4, 2008.  He was a Navy veteran, worked for twenty-three years at the Brown Shoe Factory in Pittsfield, worked for thirteen years for Oscar Meyer plant in Beardstown, IL, four years for the State of Illinois as a bridge tender at the Florence Bridge on the Illinois River at Florence, IL.  He was also a commercial fisherman and served for thirty five years as Mayor of Florence.  He was a member of the Florence United Methodist Church, an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, loved to round and square dance, fish and duck hunt.

Surviving is Leonard (Beth) Wade of Pittsfield, IL, Lindle “Chub” (Margie) Wade of Detroit, IL and Mrs Linda Sue (Gene) Farmer of Arenzille, IL. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Scot (Terri) Wade, Brian (Holly) Wade, Steven (Lisa) Wade, Tammy (Larry) Lind, Vicki (Jim) Lynn, and Lynn (Rachel) Farmer.  Eleven great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews survive.

His wife, Ellen, one brother, Walter “Bud” Wade, and four sisters, Thelma Swartz, Helen Davis, Pearl Priest and Edna Knapp, preceded Raymond in death.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at the Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with Peg Ratliff and Rev. David Kelly officiating.  Burial will be in the Blue River Cemetery near Detroit.  A meal will be served for family and friends  at the Detroit Town Hall after the internment.  Visitation for family and friends will be held Tuesday evening from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield.

Family suggests that in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the Blue River Cemetery in Detroit or the Florence United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be sent to the family at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.