Raymond Charles Meade
Raymond Charles Meade, age 68 of rural Blanchardville passed away on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at his home with his immediate family by his side following a long illness.
Raymond was born on May 26, 1943 in the St. Clare Hospital in Monroe, Wisconsin to Raymond Victor and Martha (Severson) Meade.
Following graduation from the Argyle High School in 1961 he worked at the Apple Grove Cheese Factory until he entered the U.S. Army in June of 1966. He served his country for two years, including an eleven month deployment to Vietnam with the 84th Engineering Battalion. He was married to JoAnn Bredeson on December 27, 1966 in Rockford. After his military service Raymond and JoAnn made their home in Rockford, Illinois. Raymond worked for Twin Disc, Inc of Rockford, IL and Racine WI for 32 years, retiring in 2001 from their research and development engineering department.
Raymond had a great love for his family, most especially for his daughter Heidi and granddaughter Bernadette.
Snowmobiling, fishing, golfing, and traveling out west in his motor home with JoAnn were amongst Raymond’s interests. Raymond and JoAnn loved polka music and loved going to polkafests and dances around the country. Raymond was everybody’s friend and he enjoyed getting together with family and friends for good conversation and good times.
Raymond is survived by his wife, JoAnn of Blanchardville; one daughter, Heidi Meade of Cherry Valley, IL; his granddaughter, Bernadette Rotello; a brother, John (Ann) Meade of Blanchardville; a sister, Sybil (David) Vickland of Broomfield, CO; his mother and father-in-law, Gus & Kathleen Bredeson of Blanchardville; his brother & sister in law, Byron (Diane) Bredeson of Kimberling City, Missouri; and four nephews, Steven & Darren Meade and Kristofer and Charles Vickland.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family will be holding a celebration of Raymond’s life at a later time. The Saether Funeral Home in Blanchardville is assisting the family.
Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.saetherfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to extend their grateful appreciation to the Upland Hills Hospice and Southwest Hospice staff for their loving and compassionate care of Raymond throughout his illness.
Special thanks to very special friends and helpers Shirley Sigg, Janet Negronida, Linda Kosharek, Richard Kundert and Robert Watrud, Jr. for their visits and support through Raymond’s illness, and to many other members of the community who have expressed their love and concern for Raymond and his family throughout his illness.
