Raymond O. Bress, 97, of Collinsville, Ill., born Jan. 10, 1914, in Troy, Ill., died Sunday, July 3, 2011, at Anderson Hospital, Maryville, Ill.



Mr. Bress had a very full and active life. He was a musician, farmer, and clerk for the Lumaghi Coal Co., clerk for General Steel Industries, and clerk for Hopcroft Electric in Glen Carbon, he then was a custodian at the Unit 10 School District. Raymond was an accomplished musician, belonging to the American Federation of Musicians Local 350-Collinsville, former member of the RSVP Orchestra and Abby Kneedler's Orchestra and numerous others. He was also a life long member of Frieden's United Church of Christ in Troy, and a member of the Edwardsville Sportsman's Club. Raymond was an avid fisherman and gardener.



He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Anna Bea, nee Stansberry, Bress, whom he married on Sept. 17, 1950, and who died in February of 2006; a daughter, Mary Bress; granddaughter, Amy Blumberg; parents, Louis H. and Anna, nee Lochmann, Bress; and sister, Wynona O'Mohundro.



Surviving are his two daughters, Sue (Ken) Blumberg of Collinsville, Ill., and Cathy (Tom) Kissel of Collinsville, Ill.; and three grandsons, Kevin Blumberg, Stephen Kissel and Mark Kissel.



Memorials may be made to the donor's choice or the Frieden's United Church of Christ, Troy, Ill. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com



Visitation: Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 7, 2011, at Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill.



Funeral: Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 8, 2011, at Frieden's United Church of Christ, Troy, Ill., with Pastor Gerry Procter officiating. Burial will be at Keystone Cemetery, St. Jacob, Ill.



HERR FUNERAL HOME, Collinsville, Ill.