CHRISTOPHER – Raymond Leland Flannigan, 92, formerly of Christopher, IL, passed away on December 27, 2024, at The Anchor in Marion, IL.
He was born on October 1, 1932, in Benton, IL, to Harry and Mary Smith Flannigan. Due to the declining health of his parents, at the age of 10 years old, he was placed in the home of Bill and Margaret Haynes Mitchell of Christopher, IL. Bill and Margaret raised him as their own child to adulthood. He married Linda Swisher, of Mulkeytown, IL, on April 6, 1957, in the First Christian Church in Mulkeytown, Illinois. She preceded him in death on January 6, 2015.
He is survived by one son, Tracy Flannigan, of Thibodeaux, LA; granddaughter, Shana Hall; great-granddaughters, Dixie Hall and Avanna Hall of White Bluff, TN; sisters-in-law Judy Swisher, Mulkeytown, IL, Janice Tilley, Du Quoin, IL, and Debbie (Jerry) Stanley, Mulkeytown, IL. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and one special nephew, Donald Mason of Elkview, West Virginia, who was faithful in keeping in touch with Raymond. Also surviving him are cousins from the Bill Mitchell family. He was preceded in death by sons, David Flannigan and Mark Flannigan; foster parents, Bill and Margaret Mitchell; brothers, Harry and John Flannigan; and sisters, Hazel Mazurek and Nora Mae Mason; mother and father-in-law, Emmett “Dobber” and Verble Swisher; brothers-in-law Charles “Dobber” Swisher, Bob Swisher, Norman Tilley, and sister-in-law, Evelyn Pinkham Swisher.
Raymond enlisted in the Air Force on November 18, 1952, and completed his basic training at Parks Air Force Base, Pleasanton, CA. From there he went to Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas for jet mechanic training. After completing four years in the Air Force, he returned home where he met and married his wife, Linda. He reenlisted after their marriage and subsequently was stationed at numerous bases in the states, as well as in France and England. He also served three tours in Vietnam. He was a jet mechanic and after 22 1⁄2 years, he retired as an E7 Master Sergeant. He and Linda loved the Air Force and they met and remained friends with people from every place they were stationed. They especially loved their stay in England. After retiring from the Air Force, Raymond spent close to 15 years as a mug engineer in the oil fields in Louisiana. At the close of that job, he attended shoe repair school and he and Linda bought a shoe repair shop in Nashville, Tennessee. He spent 15 years with his sons repairing shoes for numerous country stars. Raymond led a full life and retirement was never in his vocabulary. He never met a stranger and truly loved everything he did.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the Gilbert Funeral Home, Christopher, IL, with Brother Donald Wright officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, January 2, 2025, from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery in Mulkeytown, IL, with full military rites.
In lieu of flowers, it was Raymond’s express wishes that any memorials be made to Veteran’s Honor Flight of Southern Illinois, 10400 Terminal Drive, Suite 200, Marion, IL 62959.
For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com.
