Raymond Ira Coyer, 69

Raymond Ira Coyer, 69, of Santa Claus, died Sunday, November 10, 2013, at Indiana University Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis.

Raymond was born February 21, 1944 to Ira and Marie (Bowen) Coyer in Gowanda, N.Y. He married Louise A. Smith on June 20, 2009 at Peace Episcopal Church in Rockport, Ind.

Raymond was a retired Electrical Engineer at Richardson Electrical in LaFox, Ill. He was a Volunteer Firefighter and EMT for 35 years in Moecherville, Ill., Fire Department where he attained the rank of captain. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force. He was owner/operator of Walnut Hill American Eskimo Dog Rescue in Santa Claus.

Surviving are his wife, Louise A. (Smith) Coyer; one son, Timothy and wife Jennifer Coyer of Aurora, IL; two daughters, Debra Coyer of Marsailles, Ill., and Jennifer Wilson of Aurora, Ill; four step-daughters, Lisa Sallee of Inglewood, Fla., Laura and husband Gary Yoder of Evansville, LeAnn and husband Robert Stern of Inglewood, Fla., and Ami Sallee of Tampa, Fla. Also surviving is Raymond’s mother, Marie Coyer of Great Valley, N.Y., a brother, Martin Coyer and wife Lorelei of Aston, Tenn., a sister, Lois Smith and husband Jim of Lehigh Acres, Fla.; and eight grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. EST Thursday at Becher Funeral Home, Ferdinand.

Fr. Donald Overton will officiate. Friends may call from 2 to 8:00 p.m. EST Wednesday and from 9 a.m. till the service time Thursday at the funeral home.

A Firefighters Memorial Service will be held at a later date in Moecherville, Ill.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Walnut Hill Farm, American Eskimo Dog Rescue at 9013 E. Candy Castle Road, Santa Claus, IN, 47579. Online condolences may be made at www.becherfuneralhome.com.