Published on March 27, 2026 10:53 am
Last Updated on March 27, 2026 10:53 am
Raymond C. Koelm, age 82, of Altamont, IL passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on March 25, 2026 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, IL.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. April 3, 2026, at Pagel Funeral Home, Edgewood, Illinois, with visitation one hour prior to start of service. Mike Durre will be officiating. Burial will take place in Keene’s Chapel Cemetery, rural Iola, Illinois. Military rites will be observed. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 2, 2026, at Pagel Funeral Home, Edgewood, Illinois. Masonic rites will be observed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family, American Heart Association, Edgewood Masonic Lodge Post 484, or donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left at www.pagelfuneralhome.com
Raymond was born May 25, 1943 to Wally and Opal Koelm in Chicago, IL. They later moved to Clay County where he was raised to farm the land. Raymond attended North Clay High School, and upon graduating, was enlisted in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era. Upon returning from service, he farmed the beloved land he grew up on and drove a semi-truck. He met Cindy Standley on a bus on the way back from basic training and they wed April 27, 1968. He had a long career with Bekins Van Lines where he never met a stranger and enjoyed meeting people and telling stories along the road. Raymond and Cindy raised four children of their own and two nieces in Altamont while Raymond remained dually employed as a farmer and truck driver. He enjoyed
storytelling, farming, visiting his buddies at the coffee shop, and spending time with his beloved family.
Raymond leaves behind his wife; Cindy Koelm of 57 years, His children; Darin (Julie) Koelm of Edgewood, IL, Mark (Beth) Koelm of Cedar Rapids, IA, Steve (Jessica) Koelm of Marengo, IL, and Debra (David) Hewing of St. Louis, MO, his grandchildren; Chrystina (Augusto) Barreto, Whitney (Mike) Cisna, Brandon (Hope) Walk, Andrew (Elizabeth) Walk, Peyton Koelm, Dalton Koelm (fiancée Coralin Ohnesorge), Brooke Koelm, Bailey (Dustin) Pashia, Mason (Madison) Koelm, Jayce Koelm, Rhett Koelm, Crew Koelm, Allie Hewing, and Isaac Hewing, his great grand-children: Cayson Barreto, Lorelei Pashia, Rowan Cisna, Leon Walk, and Emerson Walk. He will also be missed greatly by his sister-in law Kathy (Keith) Kimbrough, sister-in-law Lois Bolkema, sister-in-law Jean Koelm, his best friend, Ronnie (Kathy) Byers, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Raymond was proceeded in death by his parents; Wally and Opal Koelm, his brother William Koelm, sister-in-law Lina Koelm, brother-in-law Donald Standley, sister-in-law Donnitta Hayungs, brother-in-law Bob Hayungs, and brother-in-law Jim Standley.