RAYMOND VETTER
Riverboat Sams has lost a fun loving member of our club. Raymond Joseph
Vetter passed away on February 13, 2009. Raymond left his wife, Mae, a
daughter, Anita (Jason Via), a son, Robbie and a Granddaughter, Audrey Via.
Raymond retired after spending 36 years as an over the road trucker.
Maybe because he spent periods away from home, he loved being surrounded by his
family. He loved dressing up as Santa at Christmas. He and Mae always
decorated "large" at Christmas. I once saw his motor home, sitting in the
driveway, decorated, with a dressed up mannequin driving. Christmas Eve
always meant an open house to all who would come. Mae says that he always gave
more to others than he asked for himself. Maybe, again because he spent
periods away from home, he was independent, meaning he did things his way a
lot.
Besides a camper, Raymond and Mae always had a boat. I remember the
pontoon boat. He loved to bring it to Hardy Lake or Patoka and take any who
come, for a ride. He enjoyed that and fishing (his fish was always the
biggest).
For years Raymond had some huge pieces of canvas that he got somewhere.
He always brought them out once a year in October. Sometimes it took two or
three hours to put these large pieces up so that they covered a bunch of
tables in order that we could all eat together for our pitch-in meal. We
added heaters and sometimes something to walk on because, you see, it always
rained at that campout.
Anita and the family surprised Raymond and Mae with a 50th anniversary
party and Raymond surprised Mae with a ring. It wasn't easy because Raymond
was confined to a wheel chair but I'm sure they wouldn't change a thing.
We'll miss Raymond, his little jokes and sense of humor. May, his
children, granddaughter and family have our condolences. He'll have a place in
our hearts also.