Ray Edison Doerr, 98, of Vergennes, Illinois, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025, just 2 months shy of his 99th birthday. He was born on September 3, 1926 in the rural area between Elkville and Vergennes, where he spent his formative years, the second of five children to Clyde and Ida (Easterling) Doerr.

Ray attended Bost School for eight years and graduated from Vergennes High School in 1944, where he was a standout basketball player. At just 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1944, serving on a USS LST in the South Pacific, including during the invasion of Okinawa. While home on boot leave, he married his sweetheart, Imogene "Ime" Schimpf, on October 30, 1944, at the United Brethren Church of Vergennes. After 13 years of marriage, they welcomed their only son, Jeffrey Ray, their pride and joy, who blessed them with three grandchildren.

Honorably discharged in March 1946, Ray went on to hold many roles that reflected his unmatched work ethic. He worked for Shell Oil delivering gas to farmers, at Schimpf Service Station, in various strip and underground mines of Southern Illinois, and even as a crew leader for the Federal Census in 1954.

In 1954, he began a 28-year career at Massey Ferguson (a merging with Massey Harris and Ferguson), a large and successful tractor and farm implement manufacturer, as a sales manager out of Springfield, IL. Always a hard and determined worker, he once worked three jobs — including in the mines — to support his young family, sleeping just 2–3 hours a night. When his boss at Massey learned he was also mining, he tried to fire Ray; true to form, Ray wouldn't allow it — and kept the job he excelled at for decades.

After retiring from Massey Ferguson, Ray worked for the Illinois Secretary of State as a field auditor for 10 years. He also farmed for many years across his lifetime.

A lifelong auctioneer, Ray began calling sales in high school and continued for over 80 years. He claimed he honed his bid calling chant selling every utility pole between Vergennes and Springfield, in the course of his commute to and from his home and the Massey Ferguson office on Stevenson Drive. He was inducted into the Illinois Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame in 1999, a proud milestone in a lifetime of service. He and Ime founded Doerr Auction & Realty. Together with their son Jeff and granddaughter Jessica, they operated the auction service for decades,
making countless friends along the way.

Deeply devoted to his hometown, Ray remained invested in Vergennes' success throughout his life, serving as village trustee 67 years and mayor 10 years. His leadership and influence reached across Illinois politics, counting governors Ogilvie, Thompson, Edgar, and U.S. Senator Chuck Percy among his friends. Ray was the chairman of the Jackson County Republican Central Committee for 24 years.

Ray was a lifelong Methodist (a member since 1946 - the UB later became part of the United Methodist denomination), a Mason (including 32nd degree and Shriners), and an unwavering Cardinals fan — right up to his final days.

A lover and proponent of hats, a connoisseur of small-town errands, and an epic storyteller (even if you'd heard the same one before), Ray found joy in (most) every person and every moment.

Above all, he was a kind, benevolent and generous man. He helped countless friends and neighbors — giving jobs, breaks on rent, gifts, tools, or simply a listening ear and a story.

Ray was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ime (married 68 years at the time of her passing on July 22, 2012), his parents, and his siblings Bill (Bettye Shupe), Harlen (Ramona Wisely), Ruth (James Tindall), and Max (Sarah Parrish).

He is survived by his son Jeffrey Ray (Charletta Alstat) Doerr; grandchildren Jessica Rae (Brett) Berger, Natasha Marie (Keefe) Kaupanger-Swacker, and Santana Ray Doerr; great-grandchildren Grant Lee (Erin Johnson) Berger and Klara Marie Kaupanger-Swacker; brother-in-law Dale (Judy George) Schimpf; many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren, including great-great-nephew Edison James Erbes, who proudly carries his name.

His family and friends will remember him as a hard worker, great cook, devoted Cardinals fan, steadfast man of his word, and a loyal friend. He was a teetotaler, keeping a promise he made to Ime early in their life together, to never drink - another way he set an example for his family, friends and neighbors.

Ray's life and longevity were true blessings, leaving a legacy of love, laughter, and deep gratitude. We will miss our dad, papa, uncle, and friend, but are profoundly thankful to have shared in his remarkable story.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava, with visitation starting at 10 a.m., Pastor Angie Baughman officiating. Burial will be at Creekpaum Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Creekpaum Cemetery.