Herman Ray Gaede Sr, 75 of Hot Springs, Arkansas, passed away June 8, 2010, in Hot Springs, Ark.

He was born on July 29, 1934, to Elmer and Lola (Travers) Gaede in Parkersburg. He attended schools in Illinois, graduating in 1952 from Olney High School.

He married Sarah Ann Spray on Dec. 20, 1952, in West Salem and they raised eight children, Linda (Terry) Youngblood, Lisa (Dean) Farmer, Herman "Ray" Gaede Jr. (Lisa) of Illinois, Ricky (Debbie) Gaede of Iowa, Rhett Gaede and Rory Gaede of Hot Springs, Rance (Cathy) Gaede of Florida and Leslee (Jimmy) Fulkerson of Hot Springs.

Also surviving are 21 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sister Ruby (Vernie) Dean of Illinois; and a host of nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; brother Oliver E. Gaede; and sister Mary Joan Hinderliter.

He was a Fighting Illinois football fan and basketball fan, St Louis Cardinal Baseball fan as well as a Jeff Gordon Nascar fan. He was in sales and management for Coca Cola in Illnois for 30 years and 20 years with Pepsi Cola in Hot Springs. Most recently he was the manager of Kroger Fuel Center on Central Avenue in Hot Springs, Ark. He was an active member of the Oaklawn UMC; member of Joy/ Young Life Sunday School class; and member of the Chancel Choir of Oaklawn UMC. His children and family depended on him to make his famous pizza at family gatherings. He was also known for delicious pork steak on the grill and famous "Gaede Chowder" made in an iron kettle cooked over an open fire outdoors.

Funeral services at the Oaklawn United Methodist Church with burial in Cutter-Morning Star Cemetery in Hot Springs.

Published in Register-News (Mount Vernon, IL) - Saturday, June 12, 2010