Raymond Lee McCormick

August 2, 1921 - February 9, 2014

Raymond L. McCormick, age 92, of Marion, IL, passed away peacefully at 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2014, in the Veteran’s Community Living Center of Marion, IL. He was born on Tuesday, August 2, 1921, in Marion, IL the son of Ray and Ora (Cothran) McCormick, being one of five children. Raymond attended school in Marion and was a graduate of Marion High School in 1939. During high school and shortly after graduation he worked for the Cline Vick Drug Store of Marion. Then on April 22, 1940, being 18 years old, he became Robert’s Insurance Agency’s first full time employee and was determined to do well. His efforts paid off and he was soon promoted from clerk to an insurance agent. He worked with Robert’s for the next two years until he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in August of 1942. He faithfully served the next three years in the South Pacific Theater and was involved in the taking of the Japanese Island of Iwo Jima. He personally saw from a distance the raising of the American flag that is famously known today. After the successful capture of Iwo Jima he returned to the United States and enrolled in officer training school to become an officer. Shortly after he had enrolled the war ended, and he was honorably discharged on September 20, 1945. Raymond returned home to Marion and was pleased to find his position with Robert’s Insurance waiting for him to start again and has remained there for the last sixty-five plus years. Raymond was united in marriage to Helen Absher on March 2, 1944, in the First Baptist Church of Marion, IL and together they shared nearly 17 years of marriage until her death on February 22, 1961. After her death he was then united in marriage to Berniece Gray on October 20, 1961, also in the First Baptist Church of Marion, IL, forming a new family with a total of four children from previous marriages. He and Berniece had two children together for a total of 6 children in the McCormick family; Michael, Kitty, Robert Scott, Tammy, Jeff and Dana. Raymond has always been very active in Southern Illinois and the Marion civic and sports area. After returning home from service, he helped organize the first Chamber of Commerce in Marion, and became its first secretary. In 1999, he was awarded the honor of the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Marion Chamber of Commerce. He served as a Marion City Council Member from 1948 thru 1954 and ran for mayor twice; the first being in 1959, but was defeated by Robert L. Cooksey and again in 1963, but was defeated by Robert Butler who still currently serves in the position. He was very active on the Marion Recreation Board and involved with little league baseball managing from 1948 thru 1976 as a coach and trainer and in 1958 one of the teams won the state championship. He was a faithful member of the Marion First Baptist Church for the last 84 years being baptized when he was 8 years old. He also served as Sunday school teacher for over 50 years and was actively involved in many other activities of the church including serving as deacon. He also was a member of the Marion Heyde-Pillow V.F.W. Post No. 1301. Raymond was an avid Cardinal Baseball fan, traveling each spring to Florida for spring training. He also has been delivering meals for over 25 years for the areas “Meals on Wheels Program” even up until two weeks before his death. In his spare time he enjoyed spending time at the Marion Senior Citizen’s Center, bowling, golfing and spending time with his family and keeping up on all the many activities they were involved with. The many memories that have been created will now be cherished by those he leaves behind. He is survived by his wife, Berniece McCormick of Marion, IL; three sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Nancy McCormick of Sumter, SC, Robert Scott and Vicki McCormick of St. Peters, MO and Jeff and Dena McCormick of Marion, IL; two daughters and sons-in-law, Kitty and Jack Henderson of Nashville, TN and Dana and Mark Mucci of Huntsville, AL; eleven grandchildren, Ian McCormick, Kristin Morgan and her husband, Kevin, Ben Morgan and his wife, Amber, Clark Mitchell and his wife, Sara, Patty Mitchell, Matt Pankey, Michele Pankey, Duncan McCormick, Connor McCormick, Juliana Mucci and Jackson Mucci; three great grandchildren, Ander Mitchell, Abigail Morgan and Lucas Morgan; two sisters and one brother-in-law, June and Robert McKinney of Westchester, IL and Helen Ohms of Marion, IL; son-in-law, Darwin Mitchell and his wife, Debbi of Carrier Mills, IL, other extended family and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Helen; daughter, Tammy Mitchell; brother, Robert J. McCormick and sister, Betty McNeely. Arrangements for Raymond L. McCormick were entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion, IL. The visitation for the family and friends was on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, located at 401 West Union Street, in Marion. Following the time of visitation the funeral service was at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Bob Dickerson presiding. Comments of memory were presented by Raymond’s son, Mike McCormick; Marion Mayor, Robert Butler; grandson, Clark Mitchell and longtime friend, John Goss. The prelude and postlude musical selections were presented by pianist, Byron Corzine and organist, Julie Douglas. The prelude selections were; “America the Beautiful”, “Rock of Ages Medley”, “Oh, Lord, How Marvelous Is Your Name”, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, “US Marine Corps Hymn”, “God Bless America”, “We’re Marching to Zion”, “My Tribute” and the praise medley of “Jesus We Crown You With Praise”, “In the Presence of Jehovah” and “I Exalt Thee”. Other special vocal musical selections presented were “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by Dave McKenzie and accompanied by organist, Julie Douglas, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” as a congregational hymn with recorded accompaniment and “Special” by Iretta Stephens with recorded accompaniment. Interment followed in Rose Hill Cemetery of Marion, IL. Pallbearers were Clark Mitchell, Jeff McCormick, Jack Henderson, Mark Mucci, Mike McCormick and Scott McCormick. Military honors were accorded at the graveside by members of Heyde-Pillow V.F.W. Post No. 1301, American Legion Post No. 147 and Illinois National Guard Flag Detail all of Marion, IL. Those participating were Commander, Larry Largent; Chaplain, Ernie Rinella; Officer of the Day, Pat Campbell; Bugler, Bill Hatfield; National Colors, Ron Ganzer; VFW Post Colors, Jeff Hoffard; American Legion Colors, Ralph DeVasier; Color Guard, Jessie James and Bill Rice and firing squad, Don Burgrabe, Bob Casey, Bill Hampsey, Fred Read, Ron Russell, Jerry Swisher and George Trammell. Members of the Illinois National Guard Flag Detail participating in the folding of the flag were SSGT Brandon Page and PVT First Class Justin Sheffler. Presentation of the flag to Raymond’s wife, Berniece was by SSGT Brandon Page. After the committal service at the cemetery the family and friends gathered back at First Baptist Church for a meal and continued time of fellowship and support. For those who preferred, memorial contributions were made to either “First Baptist Church Building Fund” or “The Veteran’s Community Living Center” both of Marion, IL. Memorial contribution envelopes were available at the church and the funeral home or were mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959. For additional information please call the funeral home by calling 618-993-2131.