Ray Allen Bleich met his Lord on Sept. 7, 2025, at the age of 78. He was born Aug. 13, 1947, to Peter and Emma (Kleeman) Bleich in Fairbury. He was a twin and one of 14 children.
Ray attended Steele City Elementary and graduated from Hollenberg High School in Hollenberg, Kansas. He graduated from Fairbury Jr. College and Peru State College. He enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard, serving six years with Honorable Discharge in 1973.
He accepted employment with Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph in Nebraska City as a lineman in 1973. He moved to Crete in 1980 as a switchman and remained with the telephone company through its many changes from Alltel, to Aliant, to Windstream, ending his career in Lincoln as a Central Office Equipment Technician.
Ray was united in marriage with Bonnie Buchmeier on Sept. 5, 1970. Two daughters, Kimberly and Kellie, we born in this union while living in Nebraska City. They moved to an acreage outside of Crete in 1980 on their 10th anniversary. Ray was raised on the farm and loved the country life so he loved having numerous animals on his acreage. While living there, they joined St. John’s Lutheran Church where he served on several committees. Ray enjoyed reminiscing about his days of fishing trips, traveling to dances, and vacations with family and friends. Ray loved being a dad, and LOVED, LOVED being a grandpa.
Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Harold, Arlin, and Jerry; father and mother in-law, Leonard and Florence Buchmeier; and brothers-in-law, William Buchmeier, Bradley Buchmeier and Marvin Saathoff. Ray is survived by wife of 55 years, Bonnie; daughters, Kimberly (Bryan) Johnson and Kellie (Kevin) Singletary; four grandchildren, Holden and Drake Johnson, and Eli and Mia Singletary; brothers, George (Cindy), Willis (Carol), Robert, twin – Roy (Barb), Dale (Linda), Rodney (Barb), and Larry (Pat); sisters, Wilma Saathoff, Alice (Larry) Warnsing, and Carolyn (David) Birkman; sister and brother in-laws, Sharon Bleich, Brock (Robin) Buchmeier, Brenda (Joe) Roode, and Becky (Randy) Saathoff. Ray has numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Visitation is Sunday, Sept. 14, from 4 – 6 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, 11400 W Panama Rd, Crete. The funeral service is Monday, Sept. 15, at 10:30 a.m. at the church.
Arrangements by Lincoln Family Funeral Care.
