Published on January 28, 2026 9:19 am
Last Updated on January 28, 2026 3:48 pm
Raymond T. “Ski” Bilinski, 91, of Effingham, IL, formerly of Pana, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at The Glenwood in Effingham.
Committal services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 with military honors at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, IL. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project. Online condolences may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
Raymond was born on March 7, 1934, in Chicago, IL the son of Adam and Wanda (Graczykowski) Bilinski. He married Sharon J. Duck on March 13, 1957 in Pana, and she preceded him in death on May 31, 2009.
Ski was a strict, but loving man, who always put others first. A member of the Catholic faith, he loved his family dearly, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his free time Ski enjoyed learning ballroom dancing with his wife, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and watching tv, particularly Chicago Bears games. Ski also enjoyed his time at the Pana Walmart where he spent many years as a door greeter and was a painter foreman for All Tri R for about 10 years. Ski served during the Korean War, two terms in Vietnam, and retired as a Gunnery Sargeant in the United States Marine Corps after 19 years of service.
Ski is survived by his children, Rae (Chris) Pikowski, Diana (Doug) Oller, and stepson, Dennis (Alona) Workman; grandchildren, Sharon Rae (Kevin) Moberly, and Adam (Renea) Oller, great-grandchildren, Kyla, Deacon, Grayden Oller, and Keegan Moberly, and sister, Irene Alvarez.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sharon; children, in infancy Anne, Barbara, Catherine Bilinski; stepson, Steven Michael Workman; stepdaughter, Deborah Workman; and siblings, Albin Bilinski, Edward Bilinski, Leonard Bilinski, Elaine Meiners, and Lorraine Cobos.