Henry A. “Al” Rakers, 89 of Decatur died Wednesday Nov. 11, 2009 in his
residence. Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church 12:00
noon Saturday Nov. 14, 2009. Visitation will be one hour before in the church.
Burial will follow in Marrowbone Township Cemetery Bethany, IL. If desired
memorials may be made to Holy Family Parish, Decatur or Moosehart Home
C/O of Moose Lodge #684 Decatur.
Al was born September 24, 1920 in Decatur, the son of Gerhart H. and
Elizabeth O. (Hines) Rakers. He had five sisters and four brothers. Al married
Marianna Monroe in 1942 with whom he shared nearly 60 years of his life.
Marianna died in 1997. They had one daughter, Lana Moore (Frank) and two
granddaughters Heather and Ashley of Modesto, CA. In 1999 Al married
Joyce (Allen) Lamm, she survives Al. Rebecca Lamm, Tom Lamm (Ellen), Bill
Lamm (Denise), Tricia Hackett, and four grandsons; Ben and Nathan Lamm,
Brian Guggenheim, Levi Hackett became part of his extended family. All the
children and grandchildren survive their father, step-dad and grandpa. Other
survivors include life-long friend and “Brother” Cecil J. Monroe and his
daughter, Leigh Ann Hale, sisters; Pauline Hays of Decatur, Lorraine Kapper
(Bud) of Niantic, Norma Rakers of Decatur, plus nearly a gross of nieces and
nephews.
Both parents, two brothers; James and Fritz, two sisters; Ethel and Delores
preceded him in death.
During his lifetime Al had a variety of work experiences including delivering
telegrams on his bicycle as a young teen, and later worked at Houidie
Hershey and Staley’s. Most of his working years were spent as a Teamster
truck driver during which time he made many life long friends. Non- working
hours Al was often on a golf course, or visiting with friends at the local Moose
Lodge.
During W. W. II he served in the 510 Army Engineer and helped build bridges
and prepare landing areas on various island in the Pacific, including New
Guinea and the Philippines. Through out his life Al had frequent contact with
many of his 510 buddies with phone calls, visits and annual reunions. One of
his favorite places to visit was California and spending time with his daughter
and her family, or playing golf in New Mexico.
Special thanks to all the Doctors, nurses and staff at D.M.H. who were
involved in his care., especially Dr. Keith Smith and Dr. Mario Velasco.
residence. Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church 12:00
noon Saturday Nov. 14, 2009. Visitation will be one hour before in the church.
Burial will follow in Marrowbone Township Cemetery Bethany, IL. If desired
memorials may be made to Holy Family Parish, Decatur or Moosehart Home
C/O of Moose Lodge #684 Decatur.
Al was born September 24, 1920 in Decatur, the son of Gerhart H. and
Elizabeth O. (Hines) Rakers. He had five sisters and four brothers. Al married
Marianna Monroe in 1942 with whom he shared nearly 60 years of his life.
Marianna died in 1997. They had one daughter, Lana Moore (Frank) and two
granddaughters Heather and Ashley of Modesto, CA. In 1999 Al married
Joyce (Allen) Lamm, she survives Al. Rebecca Lamm, Tom Lamm (Ellen), Bill
Lamm (Denise), Tricia Hackett, and four grandsons; Ben and Nathan Lamm,
Brian Guggenheim, Levi Hackett became part of his extended family. All the
children and grandchildren survive their father, step-dad and grandpa. Other
survivors include life-long friend and “Brother” Cecil J. Monroe and his
daughter, Leigh Ann Hale, sisters; Pauline Hays of Decatur, Lorraine Kapper
(Bud) of Niantic, Norma Rakers of Decatur, plus nearly a gross of nieces and
nephews.
Both parents, two brothers; James and Fritz, two sisters; Ethel and Delores
preceded him in death.
During his lifetime Al had a variety of work experiences including delivering
telegrams on his bicycle as a young teen, and later worked at Houidie
Hershey and Staley’s. Most of his working years were spent as a Teamster
truck driver during which time he made many life long friends. Non- working
hours Al was often on a golf course, or visiting with friends at the local Moose
Lodge.
During W. W. II he served in the 510 Army Engineer and helped build bridges
and prepare landing areas on various island in the Pacific, including New
Guinea and the Philippines. Through out his life Al had frequent contact with
many of his 510 buddies with phone calls, visits and annual reunions. One of
his favorite places to visit was California and spending time with his daughter
and her family, or playing golf in New Mexico.
Special thanks to all the Doctors, nurses and staff at D.M.H. who were
involved in his care., especially Dr. Keith Smith and Dr. Mario Velasco.
