Monday, March 16th, 2015
Raymond Eblen
Raymond K. "Butch" Eblen Jr., 60, Rockford, died the morning of March 14, 2015, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind., where he had been a patient since March 10.
He was born in Celina on Feb. 16, 1955, to Raymond Keith and Betty (Hull) Eblen, who are deceased. On Aug. 30, 2014, he married Tami (Ripley) Fickert, who survives in Rockford.
Also surviving are two stepdaughters, Elisha (Bart) Kuhn, Rockford, and Taya Wann, Berne, Ind.; two grandsons, Hunter Germann, Rockford, and Jayce Neuenschwander, Berne, Ind.; a sister, Margaret "Marg" (Eblen) Lindsey, Cincinnati; two brothers-in law, Craig (Rita) Ripley, Willshire, and Van (Kelly) Ripley, Convoy; a sister-in-law, Melanie Ripley, Lima; three nieces; three nephews; a great-niece; four great-nephews; mother- and father-in-law, Marlene and Jim Habegger, Decatur, Ind.; and an aunt and uncle, Doug and Judy Eblen, Celina.
Also deceased is a sister, Mary Eblen.
He worked for Nupco Plastic Tubing Inc., where he drove truck and also made drainage tile. He graduated from Parkway High School and then served in the United States Air Force. He loved woodworking and taking photographs of wild animals and birds. He liked hunting and fishing and riding his motorcycle. Butch was a former bowling coach at Plaza Lanes in Celina.
Funeral services are noon Tuesday at Ketcham-Ripley Funeral Home, Rockford, Pastor Mark Rutledge officiating. He will be cremated and private graveside services will take place at a later date at the convenience of the family.
Friends and relatives may call from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Condolences may be expressed at ketchamripley.com.
