Ray Beers
1956-03-02 2023-11-15
Just past 4:00 AM November 15, 2023, our dear brother “Chip” (a family name of endearment), aged 67, died from the ravages of cancer.
Ray Franklin was born March 2, 1956 in Oak Park, IL. He was the beloved son of Dr. Ray F. Beers, Jr. and Virginia Walker Beers, the much loved brother to Teresa Mesich (James), Kathleen Hatfield (Joseph – deceased), Ellen Gradishar (Rudolph), and Kevin Beers (Kim).
Ray grew up in Rockford, living there most of his life. He graduated from Guilford High School and attended Illinois State University and Rock Valley College. He worked in the Rockford industrial complex before purchasing his own business, E & B Windows. He was a well-read man welcoming challenging books on most any subject, especially history and biographies. A lifelong camper, Chip loved the outdoors, particularly winter camping with his cherished dogs Buddy and Barney. He and his brother Kevin hiked the 2,190 mile Appalachian Trail together in 1990.
He was a wonderful brother to his siblings and brothers-in-law and an adored uncle to many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, surprising them with extravagant Christmas gifts. His kindness and generosity to others were the cornerstones of his personality. He would help anyone who needed help, while never asking for help in return. He will be deeply missed by all who were privileged to know him.
Ray Franklin was born March 2, 1956 in Oak Park, IL. He was the beloved son of Dr. Ray F. Beers, Jr. and Virginia Walker Beers, the much loved brother to Teresa Mesich (James), Kathleen Hatfield (Joseph – deceased), Ellen Gradishar (Rudolph), and Kevin Beers (Kim).
Ray grew up in Rockford, living there most of his life. He graduated from Guilford High School and attended Illinois State University and Rock Valley College. He worked in the Rockford industrial complex before purchasing his own business, E & B Windows. He was a well-read man welcoming challenging books on most any subject, especially history and biographies. A lifelong camper, Chip loved the outdoors, particularly winter camping with his cherished dogs Buddy and Barney. He and his brother Kevin hiked the 2,190 mile Appalachian Trail together in 1990.
He was a wonderful brother to his siblings and brothers-in-law and an adored uncle to many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, surprising them with extravagant Christmas gifts. His kindness and generosity to others were the cornerstones of his personality. He would help anyone who needed help, while never asking for help in return. He will be deeply missed by all who were privileged to know him.