Raymond Hodge

PRINCETON — Raymond H. Hodge, 87, of Princeton passed away peacefully at home in his sleep on Father's Day morning, June 19, 2016. He was a cherished husband as well as a beloved father to five children, 13 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Born Aug. 11, 1928, in Ewing to Raymond F. and Jewell M. (Martin) Hodge, he married Betty J. Warling Dec. 26, 1951, in Princeton. She survives.

He moved with his parents from southern Illinois to the Manlius-New Bedford area around 1948. He served two years in the Army during the Korean War. Upon returning from Korea, he got a job stocking shelves at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store near the fairgrounds in Princeton. Within four years, he was promoted to manager and remained the manager for 30 years in which time Piggly Wiggly became the Eagle Super Market, occupying the building that is now the Princeton Public Library. Retiring at the age of 59, he spent his retirement years enjoying vacations with his wife, his children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed visiting presidential homes and sitting on his front porch in the summertime saying "hello there" to passersby, an activity he enjoyed on his last night in this life.

Before ill health struck, he attended the First Christian Church in Princeton for many years, as well as the Hampshire Colony Church.

Survivors include his five children, Michael (Amy) Hodge of DeKalb, Cheryl (Bil) Bebej of Princeton, Patrick Hodge of Princeton, Thomas Hodge of Rochester, N.Y., and Kami (Dave) Krieger of Princeton; his 13 grandchildren, Nicole (Keith) Enstrom, Darin (Kim) Croegaert, Ginger (Brian) Evans, Ryan (Melissa) Bebej, Britani (Charles) Sidwell, Nathan (Catherine) Hodge, Joshua Hodge, Timothy Hodge, Matthew (Maggie) Krieger, Ethan (Trina) Krieger, Kathryn Krieger, Chelsea Vance and Andrew Broset; his seven great-grandchildren, Keira Croegaert, Aidan Croegaert, Parker Evans, Chase Evans, Kyler Bebej, Devin Bebej and Ainsley Sidwell; one brother, John Hodge of Shabbona; and two sisters, Marietta Rashid and Judy Stepanek, both of Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and one brother.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 23, at the Norberg Memorial Home in Princeton with the Rev. Michael Hodge officiating. Burial will be in Elm Lawn Memorial Park in Princeton.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 22, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to Bureau County Young Life.

Online condolences may be left at www.norbergfh.com.