Raymond C. Raimer, 96, of Sparta, died Tuesday, August 29, 2006 at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, Sparta. He was born on March 16, 1910 in Portage, WI to Frank and Minnie (Pitel) Raimer. He moved to Sparta when he was 5 years old. He was active in baseball and golf, and enjoyed playing the trumpet. He graduated from Sparta High School in 1928.

     Ray worked at Dodge & Davis during the 1930’s.  He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in April of 1942 and served until September of 1951.  He was stationed with the 20^th Air Depot Group in the European Theater in North Africa and Italy during WWII.  After the service, he came back to the Sparta area and worked at Fort McCoy as a Commissary Officer until his retirement in 1971. He was then self employed as a real estate broker in Sparta for 25 years.

     Ray married Irene Heilman at New Orleans Air Force Base Chapel by Reverend Thomas Madden on October 4, 1942.  He was a member of United Methodist Church and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He was also a member of Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Sparta Industrial Foundation, State & National Association of Realtors, and a member of Sparta & La Crosse City Bands.  He played taps during the 1930’s at Memorial and Veteran Day services and over graves of military veterans at the time of their burial. 

     He is survived by his wife, Irene of Sparta; his children, Ellen Raimer of Albuquerque, NM, Edwin Raimer of Sparta, Janet (Randal) Cunitz of Norwalk, Kathryn Raimer of Cave Creek, AZ; 2 grandchildren, Daniel Raimer of Tempe, AZ and Merril Cunitz of La Crosse.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Douglas; a granddaughter, Laura; a sister, Alice Stark and brother-in-law, Howard Stark; and an infant brother.

     Funeral services will be on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, with Reverend David Carlson officiating. Burial will be in Mt Hope Cemetery, Sparta.

     Family and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Friday from 10 a.m. until time of services.