Raymond Lee Portinga, 91, of Maryville IL has passed away on 9/23/23 at Liberty Village of Maryville. Lee was a man of many talents; musician, engineer, graphic artist, just to name a few. He retired from a career at IBM in 1992 and immediately started his graphic design business where he produced designs and catalogs for local businesses and his church. He continued this until shortly before his passing. He was a talented musician playing the steel guitar in his early years, performing throughout the central and southern United States and Japan.
Lee was born September 11, 1932 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, growing up in the Willmar area. He served in the US Air Force from 1950 to 1954 and the US Army from 1956-1959, receiving an honorable discharge from both. He was a member of the Troy-Collinsville Church of Christ.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lynda, parents, Henry & Alline Portinga, sisters Martha Johnson and Sue Thibedeau and brother Al Portinga. He is survived by son Nathan (Cherie) Portinga, daughter Susan (Ed) Sullivan, grandchildren Jonathan (Rachel) Portinga and Christian Portinga, Joe (Sara) Mikelson, Tim Mikelson, Sarah Mikelson, Caroline Mikelson and great-grandson Maverick Mikelson, sister Joan Abreu and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at a date to be determined at the Troy-Collinsville Church of Christ and a private graveside service at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Benton, IL.
Source : West Central Tribune
