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Raymond Libner Obituary
Born: Sept. 18, 1923
Died: Aug. 28, 2015
Raymond R. Libner, 91, of Geneva, formerly of Elmwood Park, passed away Friday, August 28, 2015, at Delnor Hospital, in Geneva, IL.
He was born in Chicago September 18, 1923, to Michael and Carrie Libner. Raymond served in the U.S. Army in WW II. Following the Army he graduated from Northwestern University on the G.I. Bill. He was a grade school teacher in Capron, IL and Evanston, IL. Mr. Libner was Principal for twenty-five years at Elmwood Park High School. After his retirement as principal, he was on staff at Concordia College for ten years.
He is survived by two sons, Richard (Joan) Libner, Mark (Ann) Libner; daughter, Karen (Matt) Kasperkiewicz; eight grandchildren, Eliot, Heidi, Mitchell, Andrew, Neil, Lisa, Eric and Anthony; sisters-in-law, Helen Ernst, Joan Gronquist; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy; brother-in-laws, Joseph Ernst, Donald Ernst and Richard Gronquist.
Visitation will be 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 4, 2015, at Yurs Funeral Home 1771 W. State Street, Geneva, IL 60134. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 5, at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Entombment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Geneva.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Morton Arboretum www.mortonarb.org.
To leave an online condolence or remembrance to the family, visit the funeral homes' obituary page at www.yursfuneralhomes.com.
For more information, please call Yurs Funeral Home Geneva, 630-232-7337.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Raymond Libner
Sponsored by Yurs Funeral Home of Geneva.
Edward Rock
August 24, 2020
My sympathies to you all. Ray was a dear friend of my mom, Leona Rock. She always spoke so highly of him, and had the greatest respect for his leadership. They worked together for many years at EPHS. And I have fond memories of Mr. Libner as principal during my time at EPHS in the 70's.
Linda Breuer
September 7, 2015
My sympathy is extended to the Libner children and grandchildren. I haven't seen Ray in many years and saw him infrequently during my years at Triton College, where I taught with Dorothy. Both Dorothy and Ray were dedicated to education and were exemplary human beings.
ART RYDEN
September 4, 2015
Mr. Libner was a gentleman, a role model and a leader for all of us to follow. I've been in contact with several other members of my Class of 1971 and speak for them in expressing our sincere condolences to the Libner Family.
Linda Ricchio
September 3, 2015
Sincere condolences and prayers to the Libner family. I remember Mr. Libner not only at EPHS but during his teaching days at Triton College along with his wife Dorothy. They were a wonderful couple, always positive, available to their students and always greeting everyone they met with a smile. May your memories sustain you and God's love and peace bring all of you comfort.
September 3, 2015
Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with your family.
Richard and Elizabeth Ritt
John Corwin
September 3, 2015
My deepest sympathies to the Libner family - Ray was a great leader and super mentor to me. I loved Ray and enjoyed working with him at EPHS. He inspired me to be the best and I will always remember him as a great friend.
Love
John Corwin
Nancy Shuster
September 2, 2015
My condolences to the Libner family. I remember Mr, Libner well. He always had a smile on his face and an encouraging word for the students at EPHS of which I was a student from 1972-1976. RIP Mr. Libner.
T M
September 1, 2015
To the family, sorry to hear of your loss. Didn't have many dealings with Mr. Libner at E. P but I admired him. Seems like he had a long rewarding life with many friends which makes me happy.
Pete Silvestri
September 1, 2015
To a great educator, community member and individual. Thank you and rest in eternal peace.
September 1, 2015
Good man and remember well during our school years at Ephs. Prayers for him and all the family.
The Sovcik Family
Ed Meyo
September 1, 2015
I remember Mr. Libner as a fine Principal all four years of my EPHS experience. At a time ('68 to '72) when authority was being questioned, he demonstrated a flexibility to both allow expression and still maintain discipline so it didn't go too far and disrupt the main goal of education. He was very good at doing a difficult and generally thankless job which is a legacy to be admired. My condolences to his family.
Mark Meginness
September 1, 2015
I first met Ray when he was the young age of 87. He was facilitating a class at The Holmstad on "The Wit and Wisdom of Carol Burnett." I was impressed by his organizational skills and his sharp mind. But what I will remember him for was his heartfelt support and guidance during my Presidency of the adult learning organization that he helped create.
Ray, I will miss your warmth and your friendship.
Mary Paluch
August 31, 2015
Your father was a very kind and helpful person.
I remember him helping me as I got lost in the hallway on my way class.
May God be with you all.
Betty Costa Kaplan
August 31, 2015
Mr. Libner was a wonderful principal. I attended Elmwood Park HS from 1970-1973. My condolences to his family.
August 31, 2015
He cared dearly and deeply for the students of EPHS. I will always remember him fondly. He said he was finally graduating high school when he left with our class of 1981. Karen Schaeffer
Joe & Joan Giallombardo ('58 & '59)
August 31, 2015
We had the good fortune to be a part of the EPCHS experience in those very early years. We shared some very unique times with our principal, Mr. Libner, as he guided us thorough "growing pains". It is with true respect we offer our condolences to his family and many friends.
Agnes Fricano-Cecala
August 31, 2015
Members of the class of 1957 will always hold Principal Ray Libner in high regard as he helped Elmwood Park students who spent two years at either Oak Park River Forest High School or Foreman High School transition as juniors into one student body at the newly built Elmwood Park High School. Keeping in touch by attending almost all class reunions, Mr.Libner left lasting memories for so many.
Edward Rock
August 31, 2015
We're very sorry to hear of your loss. I know that my mom (Leona Rock) truly enjoyed working with Ray both as his secretary at EPHS and many years later as a teacher.
Edward and David Rock
Alan Bennett
August 31, 2015
I will always remember Mr. Libner for his superior educational talents and abilities. In addition to being a superior educator, Mr. Libner will always be remembered as a compassionate individual with a deep seated sense of humor. I will always remember the leadership and direction he provided the Class of 1961. May God bless and keep him!
Alan Bennett
Class of 1961
Joyce Murbach Johnson
August 31, 2015
So sorry to hear of his passing. I was in his very first class at EPCHS (class of '58) and have very fond memories of him those 4 years. Then when my family moved back to Elmwood Park and opened a printing business, he was instrumental in getting us the school business which we retained until we sold.
I shall always remember him. God Bless.
George Clarke
August 31, 2015
Mr. Libner was a wonderful Principal at Elmwood Park HS. He cared about "his" students. When I went off to college and came back home within two weeks, it was Mr. Libner who contacted my older brother who came to Elmwood Park and packed me back off to school. I have often wondered how my life would have been different were it not for Mr. Libner's intervention on my behalf. May he rest in peace knowing he had a long and full life.
Class of 1961
Carolyn Lien
August 31, 2015
So very sorry..he was a great principal, may he rip.
Lynn Winje Rouyer
August 31, 2015
Mr. Ray Libner was our first Dean of Students at EPHS for our class of 1959. Mr. Libner was a wonderful role model and mentor to me as a student. He has touched many students' lives over the years and will be remembered for his kindness and gentle leadership. He will be missed. God Bless Mr. Ray Libner. Thank you.
Lynn Winje Rouyer, class of 1959
Fred Bracken
August 31, 2015
An influential man to many of us.
Brian Fowler
August 30, 2015
My older brother, Dennis (EP class of 64), and myself (EP class of 70) remember Mr Libner as an approachable smart and kind leader for our school. He helped give us both wonderful experiences and treasured memories of our high school years.
Our sympathy to his loved ones.
Sincerely, Dennis & Brian Fowler
Jane Albach Gunnin
August 30, 2015
My dad, Louis G Albach, and Mr. Libner were some of the first employees hired at EPHS. I was a classmate of Mark Libner in class of 1973. He was a amazing man and he will be be missed.
Roberta Merryman Kvasnicka
August 30, 2015
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Larry Wilhelm
August 30, 2015
Ray was a gentleman to work for. Larry Wilhelm. EPHS
Bev Sutter Greenwell
August 30, 2015
On behalf of the Elmwood Park High School Class of 1961, we offer our sympathy to Mr. Libner's family. He was an excellent Principal and example to us all. With very fond memories, we bid him farewell.
Judy Ernst
August 30, 2015
Dorothy and Ray welcomed me into the family a little over twenty years ago and I loved them both very much. Don and I enjoyed the elder hostels that we attended with them and always looked forward to meeting Dorothy and Ray at Starved Rock. I am proud to have known such a wonderful couple.
August 30, 2015
Sorry for your loss. My condolences to you all, some past pupils of mine. He was a great principal. I retired in '92 and will miss him.
Jim Wiedman
Dennis Musial
August 30, 2015
To Rick, Mark & Karen,
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad.
He was a very special person, great dad and outstanding educator.
His wit, sense of humor and knowledge were boundless. It was always a treat to be around him.
He and your mom are together again, as they should be. They were great role models for what marriage was all about.
May God grant you the strength in the coming days and weeks ahead. As the Lord has said. "Well done my good faithful servant." This says it all about your dad.
A fine group of LLI men!
Kim Carew
August 30, 2015
May he rest in peace! Ray was such a gentleman and a truly sainted person. We truly remember him and thank him for founding Lifelong Learning Institute with his wife and a few other folks almost 20 years ago. I am blessed to have known him and wished I'd have met him earlier. A beloved man! My thoughts and prayers to his family. Kim Carew
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