Raymond Suerig Jr.

Raymond Frederick Suerig Jr., 86, of Jefferson City, passed away Saturday, January 22, 2011, at his home. He was born February 11, 1924, in St. Louis, a son of Dr. Raymond and Rose (Ruegsegger) Suerig. Growing up in St. Louis, he attended public and Lutheran elementary schools. Raymond worked as a machinist's helper at Blackburn Manufacturing in St. Louis for 15 years. While living with his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Katherine Hoffman, Raymond was a member of the Salem Evangelical Reformed Church until he moved to Denver in 1974. In 1976, he moved to the Emmaus Home in Marthasville, where he worked in the associated sheltered workshop. He also sang and traveled with the organization's choir during his stay in Marthasville. He later moved to the Central House in Jefferson City in 1991. In 2007, Raymond was relocated by the Cole County Residential Services Inc. (CCRSI) to one of their homes on Tanner Bridge Road. He loved his life in the CCRSI homes and his association with several churches in Jefferson City. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Central United Church of Christ, a status that made him very proud. Ray was an enthusiastic Christian believer and a friendly member of his church's Brotherhood Club and the Prime Timers. Ray worked at the Capital Projects Sheltered Workshop well into his eighties. Survivors include one sister, Ruth Suerig Mahony and her husband Dr. W. James Mahony of Seneca, South Carolina; one brother, Kenneth H. Suerig, of San Diego, California; three nephews; five grand-nieces and four grand-nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rose Suerig, who died during childbirth; his father, Dr. Raymond Suerig, in 1994; and his step-mother, Ruth Julia Pohl in 1997. Friends will be received from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at the Central United Church of Christ, where funeral services will follow at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Buchholz officiating. Interment will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 26, 2011, at the St. John's Cemetery in St. Louis. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cole County Residential Services Inc. (CCRSI) or Central United Church of Christ. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 W. Main, (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at millardfamilychapels.com