Jay Dee Railey, 53, of 428 Thomas St., Minonk, went home to be with his Savior at 7:26 a.m. Monday (Dec. 3, 2007) at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Ruestman-Harris Funeral Home, Minonk. The Rev. Richard Olson will officiate. Burial will be in Minonk Township Cemetery. Private family visitation will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday with public visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home, and for one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be directed to the family or the American Cancer Society.

Jay was born Jan. 13, 1954, in Peoria, a son of Gordon and Norma Reynolds Railey. He married Becky Monday on July 7, 1973, in East Peoria. She survives.

Other survivors include his parents; two sons, Jayson and Jeremy Railey, both of Minonk; one daughter, Jenny (Pedro) Hernandez, Minonk; nine grandchildren, Tyler, Ryan, Cole, Courtney, Kristen and Katelynn Railey, Ana and Marcos Hernandez and Avery Thomas; four brothers, John (Diane) Railey, Washington; Jack (Nancy) Railey, Pekin; Ed (Sue) Railey, Morton; and Randy Railey, Lostant; two sisters, Starla (Terry) Berkley, Marquette Heights, and Teri (Chuck) Pratt, Minonk; several other stepbrothers and sisters; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one stepmother, Fran Railey; one stepfather, Ted Empson; and one nephew, Terry Joe Berkley.

Jay was passionate about his yard and garden. He Loved to decorate for occasions, especially Christmas.

Jay loved his family very very much. He adored his grandchildren and they adored him. They called him Papaw. Jay always saw the good in people and had many friends; he did not know a stranger.

Online condolences may be sent to his family at www.ruestmanharrisfuneralhome.com .