Former community leader, Raymond J. Banary Sr., of Chesterton, died Monday, January 27, 2003 at Porter Memorial Hospital, Valparaiso. He was 69.

He was born October 14, 1933, in North Judson, the son of John and Antoinette (Turchlite) Banary, who preceded him in death.

On August 30, 1953 he married Shirley L. Hankey, who survives in Chesterton.

He is also survived by three children, Ray (Jamie) Banary, Jr. of Mentor, Ohio, Lynne (Derek) Lubs of LaPorte and Jill (Mark) Bradley of Bloomingdale, Ill.; eight grandchildren, Matthew, Kyle and Drew Banary, Tiffany, Rachel and Nicole Crawford, Jordan and Michael Bradley; his mother-in-law, Esther M. Tarnow of Chesterton; two half-brothers, Chuck Bacewic and Bill (Elise) Bacewic; half-sister, Bernice Lis and many nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his sister, Helen Blenke; three half-brothers, Alex Bacewic, Joe Bacewic and Ed Bacewic and half-sisters, Valarie Vacek and Estelle Thompson.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Chesterton. He was a graduate of St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer and earned his M.S. Degree from Indiana University. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and a member of Chesterton Rotary Club. He served as Town Judge and was Westchester Twp. Trustee for 12 years (1977-1989). He was Chesterton High School football Coach for 17 years, starting the program in 1960. After retiring from football coaching, he became the Athletic Trainer until he retired in 1995 from the Duneland Schools.

Funeral services, Rev. Robert E. Duncan officiating, are scheduled at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 106 E. 100N, Chesterton. Interment will be at Chesterton Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 3-8 p.m. Thursday at White-Love Funeral Home, 525 S. 2nd St., Chesterton.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Chesterton.

Posted 1/29/2003