WEST FRANKFORT – Raymond Victor Maragni, 88, of West Frankfort, passed from this life on May 14, surrounded by his loving family. 

He was born on Dec 17, 1935, in St. Louis, MO, to Pete and Amelia (Zurich) Maragni. 

He married Rosalyn (Rainbolt) on April 7, 1954, and she survives. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Donald and Ben, a grandson Sean Kristian Cash, a great-granddaughter Megan Rae Maragni, and a son-in-law Carl Cash. 

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children David (Peggy) Maragni of Marion, Debbie Cash (the late Carl) of West Frankfort, and Sherri (Alan) Murphy of West Frankfort. He leaves behind 9 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. He is survived by a brother, Robert (Mary Ellen) Maragni, also of West Frankfort. 

Special friends/family who helped him in his final days were Diana Jones and husband Keith, and Morgan Riddle. 

Ray was considered to be a musical genius, who began playing the accordion at age 4. By the age of 16, he began teaching accordion lessons, and by age 18, he had his own studio where he taught many students, and later he continued giving private lessons in his home. 

In 1963, he began pastoring Williams Chapel in Ewing. He then pastored Townmount Baptist Church for 20 years, while also working as a commercial power meter man at AMEREN/CIPS. 

He later founded and pastored Freedom Bible Fellowship and during that time, also traveled to Africa and founded a church in Papanditi, Kenya. He retired and later became a member of Soul’s Harbor House of Prayer, where his son-in-law pastors in the same building where he pastored for many years. 

He had a passion for sharing the Gospel and for helping those who couldn’t help themselves. His family was also a passion of his. His focus was on the eternal things with those inside and outside of his family and he met many needs, both spiritual and physical of his family, friends and church members. 

He was a true patriarch providing, protecting, teaching, guiding and supporting his family in every way. He was also known as a very generous man. 

Ray loved Israel, having traveled there and studied about it for many years, and he loved reading and teaching the word of God. He was a powerful man of prayer. 

He was a friend of God. 

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort with his son, David Maragni, officiating. Burial will be in Denning Cemetery on the Orient Road. Visitation will be held from 12-2 p.m. prior to the service.