Ray Livasy

Ray G. Livasy, of Decatur died November 26, 2014, at Decatur Memorial Hospital. Private family services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Decatur, IL. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Ray was born January 11, 1929, in Peoria, Illinois, the son of Golmer J. and Anna A. (Eilers) Livasy. He graduated from Peoria High School and enlisted in the Navy, where he learned to pilot aircraft. After leaving the Navy he went to work for Illinois Bell Telephone Company while attending night school at Bradley University where he received a BS in Commerce. On October 29, 1949, Ray married Frances A. Vaniman in Peoria. They were married for more than 65 years. In 1955, Ray and Fran moved to Champaign, Illinois, for Illinois Bell and in 1958 he joined the Bank of Illinois, where he became President in 1961. In 1965, Ray joined the Millikin National Bank in Decatur where he became President in 1966. In 1993, he retired from the bank as Chairman of the Board of Directors for what had become Magna Bank of Central Illinois. Ray was a strong supporter of our community. His contributions included turns as President of the Downtown Decatur Council, President of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, President of the Macon County Economic Development Foundation, President of the Decatur Advantage I, Chairman of Millikin University Associates, Chairman of the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation, President of the Decatur Club, and President of the Country Club of Decatur. The Boy Scouts of America awarded Ray the rank of Silver Beaver for his strong support of scouting. In 1984, he received the Decatur Chamber of Commerce Civic Leadership Award. Ray also supported the banking industry through many state and national forums, including serving as President of the Illinois Bankers Association, and memberships and offices in the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, American Bankers Association, Bank Administration Institute, the Illinois Electronic Funds Association, and the SBA Illinois Advisory Council. Ray's gifts were most evident in his interactions with and selfless caring of others. His passions included flying his Cherokee 6 airplane, fishing, golfing and hunting. Ray was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served in many capacities through the years. He will be greatly missed by his family: sons, Mark (Vicki) Livasy of Decatur and Jim (Melissa) Livasy of Forsyth; grandchildren: Josh Livasy of Chattanooga, TN, Matt (Rachael) Livasy of Maryland Heights, MO, Erin (Jake) Dalton of White Heath, Nick and John Livasy of Forsyth, his great grandson Charlie Livasy, nieces and nephews, and friends. Ray is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Nancy Young and Janet Nimmo. Family thanks all of the friends and health care professionals that helped Ray through his journey; Hickory Point Christian Village, Heartland Health Care Center, Decatur Memorial Hospital, CHELP and a special thanks to Ms. Rita Storey. In keeping with Ray's desire to make a difference in our community, memorial donations are welcomed to the Livasy Family Education Scholarship Fund in care of the Community Foundation of Macon County. "
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