Raymond Louis Nilges

Raymond Louis Nilges, 73, Jefferson City, Mo., died Sunday, July 15, 2012, at Capital Region Hospital, surrounded by his three children. He was born August 3, 1938, in Linn, a son of Fred Stephen and Lena Catherine (Voss) Nilges. He was married May 28, 1966, at Immaculate Conception Church in Jefferson City, to Elizabeth "Betty" Bosch, who preceded him in death, September 9, 2006. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and past Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Knight, of Council #1054. He was also a patron member of the Elks Lodge #513 and VFW Post #1003, member of Osage County Historical Society and Old Munichberg Association. After graduating from Linn High School he spent two years with the U.S. Corps of Engineers on the Missouri River. He later received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Lincoln University in 1964. He was band director at Helias High School from 1964-1969, and was employed as a music therapist with the Missouri Division of Mental Health in Fulton for 24 years until his retirement in 1995. In 1994, he was recognized for his years of service by being selected as a nominee for the Mental Health Directors Employee Relations Award. In his later years of retirement he wrote his music memoirs. He was president and co-founder of the Children's Christmas Video, Inc. , a nonprofit group that donates proceeds to charities like the Samaritan Center. He contributed several songs to the video project. He also once appeared on the Original Ted Mack Amateur Hour in New York, and played in local bands for 25 years. Other survivors include: two daughters, Rayna (James) Rice and Bethany (Bill) Goodin, and one son, Michael Nilges, all of Jefferson City; two brothers; Al Nilges (Joyce) of Jefferson City, and Fred Nilges (Alice) of Linn; one sister, Lena Mae Foster (Ken) also of Linn; five grandchildren, Kayla Nilges, William Goodin, Gracie Goodin, Chelsea Goodin, and Natalie Rice. In addition to his parents, one sister, Judy Kaullen, and one brother, Eugene Nilges, preceded him in death. Above all things, family was truly a blessing and placed above all other accomplishments large and small. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m., Thursday, July 19, 2012, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with the Rev. Msgr. David D. Cox, officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1206 East McCarty Street, Jefferson City, MO; Samaritan Center, 1310 East McCarty Street, Jefferson City; or a charity of the donor's choice. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.