Raymond Caruso Meath, age 86, a resident of Wheaton, since 1991, passed away, peacefully at home with his family on Sunday August 16, 2015. He was born October 25, 1928 in Chicago to Raymond and Josephine Meath.

Ray grew up in Oak Park and graduated from Oak Park High School in 1946. He joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17 and served in the occupation of Japan as a water tester. After the army, he attended Northern Illinois University and was a member of the 1950/51 championship baseball team, which was later inducted into the NIU Baseball Hall of Fame. While at NIU he met Dale Anderson. They were married on November 27, 1952.

After graduating he began a teaching career in Bellwood District 88. Over his 35 years there he became a highly respected teacher and basketball coach. In Westchester he served as a little league coach and served on the baseball board for twenty years. In retirement he enjoyed golfing and worked as a ranger at Arrowhead Golf Course. He enjoyed cooking and watching Chicago sports teams.

He is survived by his wife, Dale, four children, Jeff (Candy) Meath of Winfield, Cindy Meath of Wheaton, Brad Meath of LaGrange and Robb (Laura) Meath of Naperville, and nine grandchildren, Jay, Matt, V.J. (Denise), Marc, Bradley, Michael, Patrick, Brianna, and McKenna, along with an unending list of cherished friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Helen Cardelli and his parents.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 19, from 3 to 8 at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton. A mass will be held on Thursday, August 20, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church . Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery in Wheaton, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the charity of your choice.