Raymond K. Zukley

Raymond K. Zukley, 94, of Zion, IL died Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan. Ray was born March 3, 1922 in Calumet City, IL. He married Irene Pratt on July 6, 1946, was a member of Christ Community Church in Zion, and was the owner of Zukley’s Jewelry in Zion. Ray dedicated himself to a life of loyalty and service, dearly loved family, Midwestern Regional Medical Center, our country's flag and the City of Zion. He was a volunteer at Midwestern Regional Medical Center for 30 years, served on the Institutional Review Board, Ethics Committee and lovingly engraved all 5 year survivor leaves for the "Trees of Life" at Midwestern. Ray is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps., earned a purple heart and served on Guam, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima where he witnessed the flag being raised at the base of Mt. Suribachi during WWII. He was a proud patriotic member of the American Legion Zion-Benton Post 865 as well as a life member of the Zion-Benton Moose Lodge 667. Ray also served as a volunteer firefighter for Zion from 1961 to 1980, a member of Chamber of Commerce and the Zion Exchange Clubs. Survivors include his wife, Irene Ruth (nee Pratt); children, Sandy (Rich) Galgan of Zion, IL, and Kenneth (Pamela) Zukley of Southington, CT; grandchildren, Tadd (Christina) Galgan, Pat (JoAnn) Galgan, Nick (Nadine) Galgan, Mya (Mark) Cyr, Jordan (Christopher) Nyberg, and Ian (Kristen) Zukley; great-grandchildren, Tillon, Victoria, Briley, Phillip, Kenshin, and Dakota; sister-in-law, Betty L. Zukley; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Edward L. Zukley; and sister Ellie (William "Wigs") Konicek. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Dr., Zion. A funeral service will be held Friday, May 13, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will be private for the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Assistance in Health Care @ MRMC, PO Box 396, Zion, IL 60099 or AIH/Zion.org, or to the American Legion Zion-Benton Post 865, c/o Tom Lex, 2815 Hyde Park Ave., Waukegan, IL 60085.