Raymond "Ray" Christopher Luebbering

Raymond "Ray" Christopher Luebbering, age 82, of St. Thomas, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2015. He was born in St. Thomas on March 9, 1932, son of the late Herman and Agatha (Strope) Luebbering. On July 16, 1955, in St. Thomas, Ray married Lorraine Luebbering, who survives at the home. Ray was a lifelong farmer. He retired from Meta MFA after 25 years. He also worked for the MFA Fertilizer Plant in Cedar City and Delong's, Inc. He was a lifelong member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, St. Thomas. He served on the St. Thomas Water District Board for 20 years, the Blair Oaks School Board from 1974 to 1983, and the Cole County Extension Council. He was an active member of St. Thomas/Meta Knights of Columbus Council and the Fourth Degree where he served as Grand Knight and Faithful Navigator. Ray was a long time project leader for the St. Thomas 4-H Club. In 1994 Ray and Lorraine were selected as the Cole County/Missouri State Fair Farm Family. Ray spent the last months of his life doing the things he loved which was spending time with his children and grandchildren, working on the farm with his sons, fishing on the Osage River, playing cards, entertaining family and friends with stories, traveling, attending grandkid's events, and most of all cherishing his life with his beloved wife Lorrie. Ray is survived by his wife; nine children, Mike (Jayne) Luebbering and Greg (Joyce) Luebbering of St. Thomas, Mary (Jeff) Richter of Wardsville, Patsy (Richard) Luebbert and Steve (Kathy) Luebbering of Westphalia, Betty (Randy) Hagenhoff and Jennifer (Darin) Even of Meta, Karen Luebbert and special friend Paul Stack of St. Peters, Josh (Julie) Luebbering of Brazito; 31 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Robert, Reuben and Norman Luebbering; sisters, Rosie Schaefer, Delores Holterman and Mary Jane Bexten; and special Uncle, Joe Luebbering. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Donnie. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in St. Thomas. Fr. Jeremy A. Secrist will officiate. Interment will be in St. Thomas Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m., with a prayer service at 2 p.m., on Sunday, January 25, at St. Thomas Knights of Columbus Hall. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Thomas Knights of Columbus or to St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Meta. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.fancher-rekusfuneralhomes.com.