Lt. Col. Martinich honorably served his country for 25 years in the United States Air Force. He was a navigator for 16 years, which included four years as a Navigator Instructor at the United States Air Force Academy, and nine years as a Personnel Planning and Programming Officer at the Military Airlift Command (MAC) Headquarters, Scott AFB, IL, where he retired in 1988.
Ray’s Air Force career included one tour in Vietnam. He received numerous meritorious service medals, commendation medals, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and several longevity service awards.
Soon after retirement, Ray went to work for Trans World Airlines (TWA) as an L-1011 Pilot Instructor and he continued with American Airlines as a Manager, Flight Operations until retiring again in 2004.
Ray was a member of St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belleville, IL, where he coordinated and volunteered at the annual Wurstmarkt and enjoyed decorating the church for holidays. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and will be remembered for his love of family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Yvonne M. Martinich; his parents, Matthew F. and Mary J., nee Sternod, Martinich; a sister-in-law, Jeanette Martinich; and brothers-in-law, Charles H. Lussy and Robert “Bob” Lussy.
Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Yvonne T. “Bonnie”, nee Lussy, Martinich, whom he married on June 25, 1966;
a son, Raymond J., Jr. (Catherine) Martinich of Dallas, TX;
a daughter, Christine M. (Scott) Oldani of O’Fallon, IL;
three grandchildren, Dominic Oldani, Raymond J. Martinich III, and Olivia Oldani; a brother, Frank R. Martinich of Butte, MT;
a sister-in-law, Mary Anna Lussy of Westminster, CA;
and many nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to the First Responders, ER staff at Memorial-East Hospital, ARCH Air Medical Services Personnel, and the 10th floor Neurology ICU at Barnes-Jewish Hospital for their professional and compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belleville, IL. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 22, 2018, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 23, 2018, at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, February 23, 2018, at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Belleville, IL, with Monsignor John T. Myler officiating. Burial will be private.