Raymond W. Shem

Raymond W. Shem, 89, a longtime resident of Lake Geneva, died Monday April 16, 2012 at his home.  Raymond was born in Chicago, IL on January 27, 1923 the son of the late Dominick and Emma (Vitkus) Shemaitis.   He graduated from Morgan Park Academy in Chicago, IL in 1941.  On March 17, 1945 in Chicago, IL he was united in marriage to the former Dorothy Caley; she preceded him death on December 15, 1999.  He owned and operated Ray Shem Buick in Crown Point, IN for many years.  He was a Veteran of World War II serving with the United States Army Air Corps.  At the end of the war he was being trained as a glider pilot.  He was a member of Frank Kresen American Legion Post #24 in Lake Geneva.  He loved airplanes and was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (E.A.A.).  He also loved boats and enjoyed many happy hours sailing on Lake Geneva.  However his greatest love was for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Ray is survived by: 7 children; Raymond (Jackie) Shem of Parker, CO, Carolyn (Tim) Dunn of Lake Geneva, WI, William (Betty) Shem of Greybull, WY, Diane (Bart) Fitz of Lake Geneva, WI, Loretta Shem of Lake Geneva, WI, Barbara (Charles) Azzarello of Skokie, IL, and Linda (Branch) Pierce of Lisle, IL, 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren and a brother Roger (Phyllis) Shem of Orland Park IL.  He was preceded in death by 3 sisters and 5 brothers.
Mass of Christian Burial will be said Friday April 20, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lake Geneva; Father Angel Anaya will officiate.  Entombment will follow in Saint Francis de Sales Cemetery.  The Shem family will receive visitors on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Derrick Funeral Home, 800 Park Dr. in Lake Geneva.  In lieu of other expressions of sympathy memorials are requested in Ray’s memory to: Aurora V.N.A. Hospice of Lake Geneva, 103 N. Dodge St., Burlington, WI  53105 or the Lake Geneva Water Safety Patrol P.O. Box 548, Williams Bay 53191.  To sign the on-line guest registry please click: view/sign condolence book at the bottom of this page.

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