Raymond L. Seivert

Raymond L. "Ray" Seivert, 86, Rockford, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2012. Born on January 11, 1926 in Portland, OR; the son of Albert A. and Frances H. (Sandberg) Seivert. Married Claire A. Anderson at Nativity Church in El Monte CA on May 9, 1953. Ray was a veteran of the Navy serving in the Atlantic during WWII on the USS Jenks. He attended Arizona State, SMU, and graduated from USC in 1949 with a degree in Business. Ray joined New York Life Insurance Company in 1951 as an agent, later became a trainer, and assistant manager. Ray transferred to Rockford as manager of the Northern Illinois area with over 30 agents. He served as president of the Northern Illinois Insurance General Agents and Managers Association. He continued his education earning degrees as a CLU, ChFC, and LUTCF. He was a wellaccomplished agent, member of MDRT for several years until his retirement in 2000. Ray was actively involved in the community as a Boy Scout Cub Master, Scout Master and Explorer Advisor. He was the District Chairman and served on the board of the Blackhawk Area Council. Ray along with his five sons earned the rank of Eagle Scout; he received the Order of the Arrow, the Silver Beaver Award as well as the St. George Award for Catholic Scouting. He was active in the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Red Coat Ambassador, on the board of Life Underwriters Association. He was an active member of the Noon Lions Club as past President and program chairman. He was the recipient of the Melvin Jones and Foundation Fellow awards of the Lions Club International. Member of Holy Family Catholic Church serving as an usher, lector, Eucharist minister and past President of the church board. Ray was also a substitute teacher for many years, teaching in both elementary and secondary education, as well as, Jr. Achievement. He enjoyed serving as an election judge, giving motivational speeches to Dale Carnegie classes, scouts, jail inmates and insurance agents. He broadcasted weekly to the sight and hearing impaired on NIRIS radio. Ray loved his family, especially family gettogethers, holidays, attending his grandchildrens sporting events and was very proud of all his children and their families. Ray is survived by his wife, Claire; children, Christopher (Teri), Michael (Debi), Mark, Rick (Val), Mary (John) Chlebek of Lombard, Joseph (Brooke 28 grandchildren and 14 greatgrandchildren; one brother, Donald (Joey) Seivert, numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by, parents; daughter Jennifer; sisterinlaw, Patricia Seivert. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of OSF St. Anthonys Cancer Center and the OSF Hospice staff.Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 10, 2012 at Holy Family Catholic Church 4401 Highcrest Rd. Visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with Rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Friday at the Church. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Donations may be made to the family for a memorial to be established at a later date.