Raymond Eilman

June 29, 1931 - October 5, 2021

Raymond Eilman passed away at home October 5, 2021. Ray lived a long full healthy life and was trimming trees just 2 days before he passed away. He took pride in his property and worked hard to have the nicest looking front and back yard. He was extremely organized and his workshop was immaculate with 40 feet of pegboards loaded with Craftsman tools. He liked woodworking, welding, yard art and making things he could use around the house. Ray was born on June 29th, 1931 in St Louis Missouri to Richard and Frances (Stellle) Eilman. He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and was the youngest of 5 children. The great depression caused his mother a hardship and she placed him and his siblings in foster care. He told stories about adventures such as finding a coffin and using it to float down the Mississippi river. He also talked about his helping his Foster Mom make beer which he sipped when she wasn’t looking. It didn’t take much to get 86 lb. Ray feeling good and develop a lifelong taste for beer. Ray entered the US Army in July of 1948 and 2 years later he was fighting in the Korean conflict. He was a tough, but caring gentleman that immensely loved his late wife Jane (Witte) of 62 years. They had met at a wedding where Jane was a bridesmaid. Upon seeing her he stated he was going to marry that woman. He was right as they were married in 1958 and they spent their honeymoon in Florida. He had a very strong belief system and always held his standards high. Ray and Jane had 2 children Michael Eilman (Greensboro, NC) and Kathleen Marie Eilman (Paine) (Roseville, CA). Each of their children had 2 children of their own, Mike and Sue Eilman raised Michael Eilman (Land O Lakes FL) and Brianna Eilman (Greensboro, NC). Kathy and Rick Paine raised Christina Eilman and Sara (Paine) Romo. On December 21st 2017 Mason Romo, their 1st Great Grandson was born. Ray loved playing with Mason, he would always get on the floor and give his Great Grandson as much attention as possible. He truly loved his Great Grandson. In the early 1980’s Ray and Jane took a vacation of a lifetime to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. They thoroughly enjoyed that trip and were still reflecting how fun it was as they approached the end of their lives. Ray retired from Lapham Hickey steel in 1993, he was the plant superintendent, the company fabricated steel for construction projects such as bridges, office buildings and malls. In 1998 Ray and Jane relocated from Oakville MO to Rocklin CA to live across the street from their daughter Kathy, son-n-law Rick and 2 grandchildren. Kathy loved her parents very much and she saw them quite frequently, sometimes daily, they were very close with an unbreakable bond. After Janes passing Kathy spent all the time that she could with Ray to help him with mourning Jane’s loss. She also dropped off Bubsy the family dog so Ray would have company, he loved that dog and Bubsy loved sitting on Ray’s lap getting petted. Jane passed away in a care home November 30th, 2020. During her last weeks he was with her from morning to night. He mourned for 309 days until passing away peacefully at home. Ray was very funny and had a great sense of humor, he was always laughing and smiling. He was very witty which was appropriate since he married Jane Witte. On January 21st 2022, Ray’s ashes will be buried at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery. For 52 weeks Jane has been waiting for him, now they will be back together for eternity. Ray and Jane were very special and they will continue to be missed by their family members and all who came in contact with them. They were a genuinely nice couple that loved life and always showed respect and understanding towards everybody.