Raymond Joseph Provenzano

Ray Provenzano, 58, of Oskaloosa, passed away Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at Crystal Heights Care Center in Oskaloosa. Raymond Joseph Provenzano, son of Frank and Diana (Gravitt) Provenzano, was born December 3, 1965, in Peoria, IL. In 1973, Ray moved to Oskaloosa with his mother and siblings to be closer to their family. Ray attended grade school at Webster School in Oskaloosa, and was a graduate of Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1983. After his education, he enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged. Ray later moved back to Oskaloosa and lived at the Choices Center, where he made many friends. Raymond had a remarkable wit about him. He was a jokester, loving to tell jokes to anyone who would listen. He was a film connoisseur; he had one of the most extensive movie collections anyone had ever seen, even owning multiple copies of some movies. He was a member of the First Christian Church, and he loved anything and everything in Oskaloosa. Attending the city band concerts, Thankful Thursdays, Friday after 5, Sweet Corn Serenade, and many others. He could often be seen stopping by Mi Ranchito and grabbing a quick pop, where he would rack up quite the “pop bill.” Ray later moved to Crystal Heights Care Center, where he was affectionately known as Ray-Ray or Ray-of-Sunshine. Before moving to Crystal Heights, Ray lived for many years with and under the watchful eye of his big brother, Vinnie. Ray and Vinnie had many wonderful times together. Vinnie was excellent to his brother Ray, even when Ray was being a self-proclaimed “Super Villain.” Ray was the Lex Luther to Vinnie’s Superman, the Penguin to Vinnie’s Batman, and that was just how Ray liked it. Ray is survived by his brother, Vincent Provenzano of Oskaloosa, an aunt, Linda Edwards of Oskaloosa, and his cousins David, Scott, Robert Jr., and Shelly Edwards, Bonnie West, and Glory Pothoven. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Diana; his sister, Valerie Provenzano; his maternal grandparents, Walter and Lucille Gravitt; and his paternal grandparents, James and Nellie West. Funeral services for Ray will be held on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Langkamp Funeral Chapel, with Reverend Molly Goodrich of First Christian Church officiating. The burial will follow at Old White Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Sunday, June 30, with the family present from 1-3 p.m. at the Langkamp Funeral Chapel. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

Raymond Joseph Provenzano

December 3, 1965 - June 25, 2024