CARBONDALE – Ray Ehlers, 84, of Carbondale, IL, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at his home in Carbondale, Illinois.

Ray was born on August 14, 1940, in Campbell Hill, IL, the son of Ernest F. and Clara (Hornbostel) Ehlers. He married Alice Brown on June 9, 1962, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Campbell Hill, IL. Ray was retired from Spartan Light Metals and retired owner of Ehlers Auction Service. He was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Campbell Hill, IL.

Ray so enjoyed his auctioning days, it was always a dream of his. He was a farmer at heart and loved living the country life with his Percheron horses. Ray lived most of his life in Campbell Hill. In the last several years Ray loved to go on car rides. We put so many miles on the car just going in a 40 miles radius. Ray enjoyed watching baseball games and spending time with his family, friends and neighbors.

Ray is survived by his wife, Alice Ehlers of Carbondale, IL, his son, Doug Ehlers (Tammy) of Ava, IL, his daughter, Michelle Ehlers Perrott (Chris) of Carbondale, IL, his 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, and his twin brother, Roy (Pat) Ehlers of Campbell Hill, IL. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law: Debbie Thies (Donnie), Carolyn Brown (Jack), Shirley Upchurch, Meredith Ehlers and his nieces and nephews.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers: Wilbert (Grace) Ehlers, Ernest (Katherine) Ehlers, Jr, Leroy Ehlers, Melvin Ehlers; 2 sisters: Pauline (Dale) Welty, Helen (Edgar) Wilson; and infant siblings, Ferdinand and Ester.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at 11:00 am, at Wilson's Funeral Home, Ava, IL, with Minister Deb Rathert and Deacon Ben Nikodyn officiating. Burial to follow at St. Luke's Lutheran Cemetery, Campbell Hill, IL. Visitation will be Tuesday morning where friends may call from 9:00 am until time of the service. Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association and can be mailed to Wilson's Funeral Home, P.O. Box 277, Ava, IL 62907.