Raymond Lester Remus

Raymond Lester Remus, age 100, of Norton Shores, died July 1, 2017, after a long battle with dementia.

He was born April 5, 1917 to John and Mary (Witte) Remus in Gilberts, Illinois. He was the youngest of fifteen children--7 girls and 8 boys. Ray graduated from Dundee High School in Dundee, Illinois in 1935. He served for three and one-half years in the U.S. Army during World War II (2 1/2 years in the European theatre). He married Lillian Hansen on November 22, 1945 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Muskegon Heights. Ray took advantage of the GI Bill and attended the Commercial Trades Institute in Chicago for two years where he received his Refrigeration Engineer Degree. Ray worked from 1948 to 1968 for A. C. Tarner Refrigeration in Muskegon. He purchased Tarner Refrigeration in 1969 and operated it with his wife, Lillian, until they retired in April 1979.In retirement, Ray and Lillian enjoyed traveling and hiking while visiting national parks, relatives and friends, as well as gardening, and volunteering. Travels included trips to Alaska, to the Galapagos Islands and visiting a nephew in Quito, Ecuador. They also enjoyed two trips back to Europe and North Africa to retrace Ray's army trails. Ray and Lillian volunteered on the L.S.T. 393 in Muskegon, which is the actual ship that Ray rode on in 1943 from Sicily to North Africa during World War II.A die-hard Chicago Cubs fan since childhood, Ray and Lillian took many trips to Arizona to visit the Cubs during spring training. Ray also enjoyed attending Norton Shores City Council meetings, was a member of VFW Post 446 and the Muskegon Nature Club. He and Lillian have been "regulars" at the Russ' on Henry Street, enjoying many meals there.

He is survived by his wife of 71years, Lillian Hansen Remus, as well as many nieces and nephews and great- and great-great- nieces and nephews.

To honor his wishes, cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time. Memorials may be made to the Muskegon Rescue Mission in his name.