Raymond W. Bahnfleth, 88, of 232 East Washington St. East Peoria, died at 1:24 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at Riverview Healthcare Center in East Peoria.

Born July 2, 1921, in Peoria to Albert F. sand Myra Oberst  Bahnfleth, he married Margaret “Peg” Bach in East Peoria Aug. 24, 1946. She survives.

Also surviving are one brother, Albert Bahnfleth of Falls Church, Va.

He was a graduate of East Peoria High School Class of 1939. He graduated from a four-year apprentice program at Caterpillar Tractor Co. Inc.

He was a World War II Army Veteran serving as a Staff Sergeant with the 1486th Engineering Maintenance Co.

He served in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre, seeing action in Luzon. He returned to Caterpillar Inc. working in management in the Research Department in Peoria. He retired in 1979 after 40 years of service.

He was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in East Peoria, the East Peoria Boat Club, Caterpillar Retirees, the Forest Lakes Country Estates Homeowners Association in Sarasota, Fla., and former member of the Fondulac Couples Golf League.

He volunteered for the East Peoria Beautification Committee and the East Peoria Festival of Lights.

Services will be in Sarasota at a later date. Cremation rites will be accorded. Remmert Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to the Margaret Bach Bahnfleth Memorial Scholarship at Illinois Central College, Healthcare Manor at Riverview in East Peoria, or to the donor’s choice.

Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.remmertfuneralhome.com.