James Richard Raymer, 65, of Elk Grove Village, IL, passed away suddenly from complications of COVID-19 on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.
Jim was born on January 6, 1955, in Benton Harbor, MI, to Richard and Marilyn Raymer who preceded him in death. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1973 and Central Michigan University in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration; he was also President of Sigma Pi fraternity.
Following graduation, he moved to the Chicago area where he met his wife, Anna, who preceded him in death in 1998. They were blessed with one daughter, Michele, who they both adored with all their hearts. He was a very proud, devoted father who coached multiple athletic teams, and served as a troop leader in the YMCA Indian Princess program, where he was known as “Chief Night Owl”. Jim and Michele were avid movie go-ers and regularly went on “movie dates” up until recently. Jim was proudly crowned “King Dad” at the Naperville Central 2009 Daddy Daughter Dance.
Jim was a caring big brother to siblings Ron and Kathy, who cherish the many fond childhood memories and years together, including summers at their cottage in Sister Lakes, MI, and many exciting football Saturday’s in Ann Arbor, as they were all avid Michigan fans.
He and his loving fiancé Cindy shared a home, along with their beloved dog and three cats, and spent many years together enjoying outdoor summer concerts, going to flea markets, and trips to Sarasota, FL, and South Haven, MI, where they had planned to retire.
He enjoyed a long career in sales, most recently as the Director of Strategic Alliances at AccuWeather. Jim was very active in the community and volunteered for the American Red Cross Emergency Response Team and other organizations.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Michele (Anthony Lacina & Anthony Lacina Jr.) Raymer, of Naperville, IL; his fiancé, Cindy Weinberg, of Elk Grove Village, IL; his brother, Ron (Stacie) Raymer, of Virginia Beach, VA; his sister, Kathy Travis, of Woodridge, IL; his step-sister, Karen (Bob) Raines of Centreville, MI; his sisters-in-law Mary (Peter) Stanga and Eva (John) Foran; nieces and nephews, Andrea and Jared Raymer: Lauren Travis; Eric Stanga; Larisa (Andrew) Faulk; Amy (Brian) Spiewak; Joe (Elizabeth), Bill (Mary), and Matt (Meagan Karuhn) Foran; Jason (Michelle), Brayton (Liz), and Nate (Jenny) Grinnell.
A Service celebrating his life will be held at the Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Township, MI, at 1 PM on Wednesday, November 25. The family will proceed from the Florin Funeral Services at 12:30 pm to the gravesite. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a local animal shelter of your choice in Jim’s memory. Arrangements are being made by the Fairplain Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Benton Township, MI. Please share memories, messages or photos at www.florin.net.
Posted On: Monday, November 23, 2020 9:49 AM
