Ray Dean Niemann, 73, of Litchfield died Monday, April 27, 2015, at 4:20 p.m. in his home.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 30, at the funeral home with Brother Ed Diveley, pastor of Southside Church in Litchfield, officiating.
Burial will be in Elm Lawn Cemetery in Litchfield.
Mr. Niemann was born on Dec. 23, 1941, in Litchfield, the son of the late Herbert Louis and Vernis Mary Ann (Scharf) Niemann. He married Betty Anne Winstead on July 26, 1975, at Pleasant Hill Christian Church near Raymond, and she preceded him in death on July 30, 2013.
He graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1959. He was an Illinois National Guard veteran and a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield.
In addition to farming most of his life, Mr. Niemann also worked at Milnot Company in Litchfield, was a custodian for both Litchfield Community School District and Litchfield National Bank and was a caretaker for his wife and Pa Pa's taxi service for his grandchildren.
In his leisure time he enjoyed going out, taking drives in the country with his dog, "Butch," and was a NASCAR fan.
Mr. Niemann is survived by two sons, Kevin (Tracy) Niemann and Brian (Penny) Niemann, both of Litchfield; two daughters, Dawn (Jeff) Wheat of Litchfield and Katrina (Mike) Lancaster of St. Louis; ten grandchildren, Courtney (Tory) Fritchley of Holly Ridge, NC, Caleb and Elizabeth Niemann, Hannah and Hunter Niemann, Jeffery, Amber and Paige Wheat and Ian and Evan Lancaster, all of Litchfield; two sisters, Shirley (Herman "Bud") Helgen and Sharon (Ronald) Schwab, both of Litchfield; and mother-in-law, Mabel Winstead of Litchfield.
Besides his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one sister, Karla Ozella.
The family suggests memorials to Adopt-A-Pet Shelter in Benld or Litchfield Food Pantry.
For more information, to light a candle or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
