Ray Mclaughlin

Ray McLaughlin beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather left this world on Friday, 22 April 2016. Ray was born on 24 October 1930, the sixth of seven sons born to Charles and Jane (Aller) McLaughlin of the Irish Settlement, Iowa. Ray grew up on the McLaughlin Family farm and graduated from Martensdale High School in 1948. Ray married Agnes Celeste Kelleher on 19 February 1955. They were blessed with seven children-two daughters and five sons. Ray lived all of his life in the Irish Settlement. He farmed there until his retirement. Ray also worked for Federal Crop Insurance and he delivered gas for Bussanmas Oil for many years. Ray was a lifelong member of his beloved Saint Patricks Catholic Parish. He served the Parish Council in numerous positions including president. He also was active in RCIA, lectored, managed the altar servers and sang in the choir. A treasured memory of Rays was the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1979. Ray lived his life in dedicated service to his church and community. He was a member of Booneville Co-Op, NFO, the Madison County Historical Society and Knights of Columbus. Ray also worked with the Columbian Squires and was a mentor to many young men in the community. Ray was inducted into Martensdale St. Marys Wall of Fame. Ray was an Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Bears fan and he enjoyed bowling. Ray enjoyed travelling with his wife Agnes to many states in America, Italy, Germany, and Canada. He lived his dream by visiting the home of his ancestors in Ireland. Ray had a passion for history and was a Civil War buff. Ray loved to visit with people. He was an interested listener with sincere concern for everyone he met. Ray will always be remembered for his humble and gentle ways. He was a loving husband for over 61 years and a tremendous devoted father who taught his children the true meaning of faith through his daily example. Ray enjoyed precious time with his ten grandchildren always making each child feel so very special. Ray will be dearly missed and forever loved by his wife Agnes Mc Laughlin, sons Mike McLaughlin, Rick (Mary Searl) McLaughlin, Brian (Debbie Den Dekker) McLaughlin, Marty (Lisa Tvedt) McLaughlin, daughter-in-law Char (Warth) McLaughlin, sons-in-law Brian Smith and Arlan Herzberg, grandchildren Philip Raymond McLaughlin, Stephanie (Tim) Brueggen, Rachel McLaughlin, Kristina McLaughlin, Colin Joseph McLaughlin, Caroline McLaughlin, Matthew Joseph McLaughlin, Megan McLaughlin, Anne McLaughlin-Smith and Bridget McLaughlin-Smith, great-grandchildren, William, Benjamin and Gretchen Maureen Brueggen and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. He is also survived by his brothers Lewis, Gene and Marvin McLaughlin. Ray was proceeded in death by his parents, his daughters Diane Herzberg, Maureen McLaughlin, his son Neal McLaughlin, and his brothers Charles, Vernon and Francis Bud McLaughlin. A wake and visitation will be held Friday, 29 April 2016, from 5 to 7 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7 p.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home. Mass of the Resurrection will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, 30 April 2016 at St. Patricks Catholic Church, Cumming, IA, with visitation beginning one hour prior to the Mass. Burial will follow at the Irish Settlement Cemetery, Cumming, IA. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the HCI Care Services or The National Headache Foundation.