Obituaries

January 26, 1943 to June 5, 2022

FRANCESVILLE - Raymond F. “Ray” Cooley, 79, a lifelong resident of Francesville, passed away Sunday, June 5, 2022 at Parkview Haven Retirement Home in Francesville.

He was born Jan. 26, 1943 in Francesville to Floyd M. and Jeannette M. LaRose Cooley. Both of his parents passed away in 1991. He attended Francesville Grade School and graduated from Francesville High School in 1961. He attended Purdue University for two years and obtained an associate’s degree in technical engineering and drafting.

Raymond Cooley

He is survived by a sister, Karen Cooley Bollhoefer of Francesville. He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Rita Lynn.

Mr. Cooley began his nearly 30-year career at Monon Trailer working in the fabrication plant producing parts for the company’s flatbed line. He was quickly promoted to day shift supervisor over fabrication. In the 1970s, he was promoted to fabrication manager and was responsible for all three shifts, until he retired in May 1991. He continued in this field when he started working for Ezra Welding & Metal Fabrication where they made parts for Model T automobiles and Ertyl Toys before beginning their own line of toy truck and construction items. Ray excelled in making metal fabricated toys and was known to design and build many of his own pieces. Never one to sit idle, he worked for various Francesville businesses over the years, including farming, plumbing-and-heating, and electrical and construction work. Most recently he worked for Clear Decision Filtration, where it was jokingly said he worked “part-time, seven days a week.” One his more visible hobbies was in the area of building and owning modified midget and mini sprint race cars. He was the Eastern vice president of NMMA from 1977-1984. He was a championship car owner with NMMA in 1995, and also AMSA Sprint Division with Mike Neher as his driver for over 30 years.

Mr. Cooley was a member of the Francesville Volunteer Fire Department for 50 years and was instrumental in the design and construction of the kitchen when it was built. He was very loyal to the town of Francesville, organizing the parade for the town festival for 50 years. He retired in 2019. He recently received the Milestone Chevron Award for 25 years of service in the Lions Club International. He was also a member of Midwest Oldtimers Vintage Race Car Club, the Lafayette Corvette Club and the Pontiac-Oakland Auto Club.

A private graveside service will be held at Highland Cemetery in North Judson, in honor of Mr. Cooley’s wish because he always said, “I don’t want the fire trucks blocking the streets because of me.” Private burial follow at the cemetery.

In lieu of food, flowers, and gifts, please make memorial donations to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.  

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary Querry-Ulbricht Chapel in Francesville.