Ray Billmeier, 71 of Carroll, died Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll surrounded by his family.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Templeton. The Celebrant will be Fr. Timothy Johnson. Music will be by Jeanne Kerkhoff and the Sacred Heart Men’s Choir. Lector for the funeral mass will be Ray’s niece, Jennifer Mallum. Gift Bearers will be Ray’s grandchildren: Nicholas Billmeier, Dawson Billmeier, Nolan Nepple, and Porter Nepple. Eucharistic Minister will be Alice Simons. Honorary Casket Bearers will be: John Renze, Bill Hess, Norm Schulz, Larry Schenkelberg, John Norgaard, Lon Diers, Pat Moehn, Dave Collison, Jim Irlmeier, and John Sing. Casket Bearers will be Ray’s nephews: Doug Irlmeier, Chad Irlmeier, David Blum, Matt Billmeier, Ron Alspach, Larry Middleton, and Ryan Middleton. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll after 4 p.m. on Friday where there will be a Christian Wake Service at 7 p.m. Additional visitation will be held from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Saturday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for Kuemper Catholic Schools Foundation.
Following the burial Ray’s family wishes to invite everyone for a luncheon and refreshments at the Carroll Country Club.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Ray’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born on December 22, 1943 at Templeton, Iowa, Raymond J. was the son of Otto and Frances (Fuchs) Billmeier. Ray grew up in Templeton and attended Sacred Heart School, later graduating from Kuemper Catholic High School with the Class of 1962.
On October 9, 1965, Ray was united in marriage to Linda Irlmeier at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Templeton. The couple made their home in Carroll where Ray was employed at Sieg Automotive for many years. In 1991 Ray began his career with Feld Fire Equipment and was still working part-time until his recent illness.
Ray enjoyed tending to his lawn, gardening, grilling, and in his younger years playing fast pitch softball. He always enjoyed golfing, playing cards, and socializing with his family and many friends at the Carroll Country Club.
Ray’s greatest joy was spending time with his entire family; especially his grandchildren and watching them with their various activities.
Ray was a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Carroll and a former member of Sacred Heart Parish in Templeton.
Left to celebrate his life is his wife Linda Billmeier of Carroll; his children: Brian Billmeier and his wife Niki of Carroll, and Stacey Nepple and her husband John of Carroll; his grandchildren: Nicholas Billmeier, Dawson Billmeier, Nolan Nepple, and Porter Nepple; his brother: Lou (Terri) Billmeier of Carroll; his sisters: Darlene (Lloyd) Middleton of Templeton and Dorothy Bendixen of Carroll; his sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Bonnie Hein of Carroll, and Duane (Pauline) Irlmeier of Templeton; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives and many friends.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Stoggie and Mep Irlmeier; his brother-in-law, Jerry Hein; and his niece, Sheila Schoeppner.
