Donald Ralph Remer, 85, of Galesburg, Illinois, died Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Seminary Manor, Galesburg, surrounded by his loving family.
Don was born February 22, 1939 in Trinidad, Colorado, the son of Ernest Ralph and Rebecca Alice (Nichol) Remer. Don graduated from Valley High School in Fariview, Illinois in 1957. He then attended and earned a BS in Mathematics and English from Carthage College, Carthage, Illinois in 1961. He married Judith Ann Galbreath on June 30, 1963 in Canton, Illinois. Don taught high school in Fort Madison, Iowa before moving to Galesburg, where he worked for a time at Butler Mfg and taught Calculus at Sandburg College for many years. He opened Remer’s Television Corner in Galesburg where he enjoyed repairing televisions and helping anyone he could. After 25 years and a change in televisions he closed the store. Not one to sit around, Don went to work for Jet Air, Inc from 2002 until he eventually retired in 2022.
Don is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, Judy of Galesburg; two daughters, Donna (David) Timmons of Galesburg and Cindy (Mike) Trione of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; one sister, Mae Asbury of Knoxville, Illinois; and close cousin, Melanie (Steve) Hevland of Galesburg. Don is the proud “Papa” of nine grandchildren, John Hall, Kalyn (John) Servis, Alex (Joyce) Hall, Jordan Timmons, Morgan (Tyler) Eiker, Shannon (Michael) Bannister, Joe (Arjay Tornoe) Trione, Jake (Leslie) Trione, and Michaela Trione; and his beloved great grandchildren, Emberlee and Reuben Hall, Bri and Bryce Servis, Rose and Anna Hall, Hayes and Brooks Eiker, Ava, Olivia, and Bowen Bannister, and CJ, Noah, and Hudson Trione. Along with his parents, Don was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Peterson.
Don served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged on May 15, 1962. He was a jack of all and could fix and build anything. He helped build homes and additions, decks and was talented with a trowel in concrete work. He thoroughly enjoyed sharing his passion and knowledge with anyone who wanted to learn. He was passionate about math and calculus, tutoring many college students at Knox and Carl Sandburg College. You would even find him working on math problems at home, just for fun. He loved all animals, had a quick wit, told the same 100 bad dad jokes 1,000 times. Any time he left he would always reply with a “Glad you got to see me!”
Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, May 6, 2024, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with Chaplain Jordan Knight officiating. Cremation will be accorded following services. Memorials may be made to the family. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
