In Loving Memory of

RANDY WOLFE

1945

2025

Racing checkerboard flag in muted grey tones waving in the wind.jpg

Honoring Randy Wolfe

Join us for a celebration of Randy’s life on Saturday, April 5.

Visitation will be from 10am-12pm, followed by a service from 12-1 at Crete United Methodist Church (1321 Main Street Crete, IL)
After the service, we invite you to a reception at Evil Horse Brewing Company (1353 Main Street Crete, IL) from 1:00-3:00.

Wolfe Engines will also be hosting an open house following the services.

In lieu of flowers, while there is no obligation to do so if you feel inclined, the family requests that donations be made to the Crete Food Pantry, in honor of Randy's lifelong commitment to feeding people the ‘homeless casserole’ that he made on a regular basis.

-Please consider leaving a note or a favorite memory at the bottom of this page-

Story

A Tribute to His Life

1945 - 2025

Randall Neal Wolfe, aged 79, was born and raised in the Pullman neighborhood of Chicago, IL. After attending Bradley University in Peoria, IL he spent the majority of his life at his home in Crete, IL. From a young age, he exhibited a natural aptitude for mechanics, always eager to get under the hood to push boundaries and understand the machinery that powered the world around him.

He and his beloved wife, Becca, shared a remarkable 54-year marriage. In his final days, Becca, a retired Nurse Practitioner, provided compassionate care for Randy at their home, reflecting their lifelong journey together.

Randy cherished his family, finding joy in their company. He had an unwavering belief in those around him, dismissing self-doubt and inspiring confidence in his children and everyone he met. Generous with his time and resources, Randy was always ready to assist others, especially with sharing tools and advice to get back in the race.

He had a deep-seated love for automotive and boat racing, embracing the thrill of acceleration and the challenge of competition. His passion brought him around the world to achieve multiple National and World Championships. His fervor inspired his children, race teams, and everyone he met to go fast, work hard, and win. Sharing his passion for building engines, he and his son realized a lifelong dream by establishing Wolfe Engines, a high performance engine shop in Steger, IL. Over the years, the shop became a hub where enthusiasts gathered, friendships were forged, and numerous championships were built.

At home, Randy took immense pride in cultivating his garden. His backyard, adorned with his cherished dragons and a pond, became a showpiece where friends and family could gather, relax, enjoy his homemade chili or spaghetti sauce, and share an Old Style.

Randy is survived by his beloved spouse, Becca; his children, Marty Wolfe and Elizabeth (Tizzy) Volini; his children's spouses, Jennifer Wolfe and Tony Volini; and his grandchildren, Violet and Elena.

As Randy takes the checkered flag on his life's journey, he leaves behind a legacy of love, determination, inspiration, and generosity. His story reminds us that life isn't just about reaching the finish line; it's about the laps we complete, the challenges we overcome, and the fellow racers we inspire along the way.