Raymond, as a youth, delivered papers for the Marion Daily Republican and attended school in Marion. He 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 located in the northeast corner of the square which was reflected in the 1940 federal census. At the time, Raymond was 18 and employed as a drug clerk. His parents, Ray and Ora, were both 40 and his siblings were Bobby 18, Betty 12, Anna 9 and Helen 6. It was noted that his father was a laborer who had worked 40 weeks in 1939 and made $5,000. Raymond had worked 52 weeks in 1939 and made $500.
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, assigned to the 2nd Anti-Tank Battalion.
Within one year, in August 1943, Raymond rose to the rank of Sergeant. At this time, his parents were living at 205 E. Warder Street.
While home on leave from duty in New Zealand and New Caledonia, Raymond was united in marriage to Helen Absher on March 2, 1944, in the First Baptist Church of Marion. Helen was the daughter of Arthur Absher and had two brothers, Lawrence and Carl Absher. After a week’s honeymoon in Kentucky, Raymond was back off to the service. At this time, his parents were living at 911 ½ N. Court Street.
A letter received from Raymond while he was serving with Battery C of the 13th Marines in the Fifth Division on Iwo Jima dated Feb. 28, 1945, indicated that they had accompanied the Marine “devil dogs” in invading the island.
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 of 1500 yards, 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 Cadet School in Quantico, Virginia in July 1945. 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 remained there for sixty-five plus years.
According to the Southern Illinoisan newspaper Raymond helped organize the Marion Chamber of Commerce in 1947 and served as their first Secretary.
In 1949-50, Raymond was President of the Marion Lion’s Club.
He served from 1948 thru 1954 as a Marion City Commissioner 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. In 1955-59 he served as Commissioner of Public Property while living at 607 Hadfield Street.
He was a member of the Marion Recreation Board from 1948 to 1954 and was involved with little league baseball managing from 1948 thru 1976 as a coach, manager and trainer, particularly in the Colt League and in 1958 one of the teams won the state championship.
On February 22, 1961, his wife, Helen, of 17 years of marriage passed away at their home at 913 N. Madison Street, leaving Raymond and their three children, Michael, Kitty and Robert.
After her death he was then united in marriage to Bernice Gray on October 20, 1961, also in the First Baptist Church of Marion, forming a new family with a total of four children from previous marriages. He and Bernice had two children together for a total of 6 children in the McCormick family; Michael, Kitty, Robert Scott, Tammy, Jeff and Dana.
In 1964, when the county celebrated the Quasqui-Centennial, Raymond served as the chairman of the Insurance Committee.
He was a faithful member of the Marion First Baptist Church for 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.
In 1971, his daughter Kathleen married Richard L. Morgan, son of Dr. R.D. Morgan of Marion.
In 1974, Raymond ran unopposed and was elected to the Williamson County School Board of Trustees.
Raymond has always been very active in Southern Illinois and the Marion civic and sports area. 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 delivered 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.
In 1999, he was awarded the honor of the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Marion Chamber of Commerce. He retired from the insurance business in 2000.
Raymond, at the age of 92, passed away peacefully at 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2014, in the Veteran’s Community Living Center of Marion, Illinois.
He was survived by his wife, Bernice 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.
(Extracted from the Marion Daily Republican obituaries; Southern Illinoisan articles; Williamson County’s Greatest Generation by Harry C. Boyd; Federal Census Records; Marion City Directories; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 02/28/2014)