Raymond Howard Batchelder

Raymond “Tobe” Howard Batchelder, 91, of Illiopolis, IL, passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Springfield Suites in Springfield, IL.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Illiopolis Methodist Church, 501 Matilda St., Illiopolis, IL 62539. Funeral services will immediately follow at the church. Burial with full military honors will take place at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Sangchris Waterfowl Association. Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Raymond was born November 27, 1934, in Illiopolis, the son of Bertram and Elma (Jefferd) Batchelder. He graduated from Niantic High School and later served in the United States Army. On March 1, 1965, he married Emelene Hays in Bloomington, IL; she survives.
Raymond worked at Borden Chemical for 38 years, retiring in 1998. He was a past member of Ducks Unlimited. Tobe enjoyed fishing, hunting, making grape jelly, and doing crossword puzzles. He especially loved traveling to Minnesota for fishing vacations and spending time with his family.
He is survived by his son, Steve (Lori) Batchelder of Mt. Pulaski, IL; stepson, Larry (Joni) Huyear of Kentucky; stepdaughter, Connie (Jeff) Byerline of Mechanicsburg, IL; five grandchildren, Heather (Jay) Mendell, Kyle (Jaycee) Byerline, Grant (Nikki) Huyear, Brian Batchelder, and Brandon (Kylee Turner) Batchelder; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Billy and Bert Batchelder; four sisters, Phyllis Hall, Bonnie Adams, Alberta Ball, and Helen Ruth Saulsberry; and his nephew, Lyle Ball.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Homes at www.brintlingerandearl.com.