By Melanie Tuttle
Posted: Updated:
14 Comments
  • Visitation

    Friday, December 29, 2023

    4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

    Saturday, December 30, 2023

    10:00 AM 11:00 AM

    Gateway Family Church, 97 Oaklawn Rd, Glen Carbon, IL 62034

  • Service

    Saturday, December 30, 2023

    11:00 AM

    Gateway Family Church, 97 Oaklawn Rd, Glen Carbon, IL 62034

  • Full Obituary

    Larry Ray Raymer, 72, born in E. St. Louis IL to Luin & Alvia (Sollars) Raymer. Larry, a phenomenal musician, singer, husband, father, and friend to all, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. Larry’s life was a melody of love, faith, family and music.

    Preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Leon, Rance, Tommy, and Bobby, sisters Lois, Anita, Jeanette, Linda, and great grandson Jaxon Robert Berry.

    Larry and his beloved wife Mandy (Bonvicino) shared 26 amazing years of love, joy and happiness. Along with the love of his life Mandy, Larry's legacy will live on through his son Presley Raymer of Caseyville IL, his two daughter's Jerri (Dave) Grommet Murphy of Caseyville IL and Jenny (Brian) Krueger of Pensacola FL. Five grandkids Eric (Ashley) of MO, Jake (Hailey) Berry of Staunton IL, Amber (Anthony) Ford of Collinsville IL, Emily of North Carolina, Elizabeth Krueger of Carbondale IL. Nine great grandchildren Rori, Landon, Emma, Eliett, Levi, Holly, Hannah, Beau, Lilly. A brother Jimmy Raymer of Cahokia IL. Sister-in-law Lara (Mark) McCord of Ballwin Mo.

    Wonderful friends Jim & Janet Terry of Edwardsville IL, George Kirk of Caseyville IL, Keith Domescik of Belleville IL, Susan & Ron Kreke of Troy IL, Shaun Weiss of Boston MA, John & Franzika Idan of Germany. Many nieces and nephews. His loving and comforting hugs, infectious laugh, and warm presence will be missed deeply.

    From a young age, Larry’s musical talent was undeniable. At the age of 2, he started dragging around a guitar. This guitar was so much bigger than him that the bottom wore out from dragging it everywhere. A few years later, his brother Tommy had purchased a dobro guitar, got mad, and was going to smash it around a tree but instead gave it to Larry. This is the guitar that Larry truly learned to play on, and he would play so often and for so long even when his fingers would bleed. At the age of 10 or 12, he was asked to play guitar and sing with his brother, Jimmy, on the drums, in the band Epic’s. Since that time Larry has traveled far and wide to perform all over. He recorded in a studio where Elvis recorded, and Elvis’s dad and family took him in as one of their own. He was a member of numerous bands including: Leaky Faucet, Creed, Gladstone, Larry Raymer Memories of Elvis and many others. Larry would do thousands of concerts and Elvis shows.

     

    In the early 1980's, Larry started playing in church and became a worship leader. He traveled with the Kings Kids puppet Ministry for years and led worship at Greater Glory Family Church, as well as a few other churches. Larry ministered with a great anointing alongside his son, Presley, on the drums. Together they ministered to thousands of people. Larry wrote and produced hundreds of songs. Throughout his extensive music career, he received numerous awards, acknowledgements, and accolades including letters from multiple presidents of the United States.

    Larry’s greatest enjoyment was bringing smiles to faces. Even in his darkest, most painful hours he sought to bring joy to others with his angelic voice, a testament of his selfless and loving nature. His life was a beautiful composition of kindness, creativity, and devotion to his family and faith. And he never failed to tell you how much he loved you.

    Larry enjoyed his peaceful property Raymer's Wildlife Ranch. He especially enjoyed all the wildlife that came to visit the family, especially the momma deer that would bring her babies to meet him.

    The Raymer family invites you to join them in celebrating Larry’s life. Visitation will be held on December 29th from 4-8pm, and on December 30th from 10-11am, followed by a service at 11am at Gateway Family Church, 97 Oaklawn Rd, Glen Carbon, IL 62034.

    In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations towards funeral expenses, Donations can be made directly to Presley or Mandy Raymer at the service, or dropped off at Kassley Meridith Funeral Home, 515 Vandalia Street, Collinsville, IL 62234. If donating by check, please make out to Presley Raymer.

    In Larry’s own words, "I love you, Merry Christmas, Happy Easter, Happy New Year!"

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

14 Condolences
 
  1. Mary Green / December 21, 2023 at 10:17 am

    So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for the whole family. I loved listening to Larry play at lifeline in Sorento.

    Mary and Dennis Green

  2. John Rodriguez / December 21, 2023 at 10:35 am

    My condolences RIP

  3. RICK CASEY / December 21, 2023 at 1:45 pm

    Kathy and I remember Larry walking around town with his guitar he was an awesome musician and singer. He will be missed by many. Condolences to his family.

  4. Roger Mattea / December 21, 2023 at 2:53 pm

    Just seeing Larry was enough to make me smile. He was a really wonderful and kind person

    I am confident Jesus has a place for Larry and I plan to see him there

    Mandy was a wonderful care giver as was Presley. I saw the comfort and care they provided.

    I hope things smooth out for both of you

    Roger

  5. Mel &Becky Jones / December 21, 2023 at 8:52 pm

    Larry you will be missed so much! His kind and loving words will always be remembered. Rest now. Condolences to Larry’s family.

  6. Chris Ziegler / December 22, 2023 at 1:24 am

    I’ve always thought of Larry as one of the most genuinely kind, sweetest people I’ve ever met. He was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, and have a smile on his face as he did it. He always made people feel special and loved. Growing up around Larry at church, even as a little kid, he would always take time to ask how I was doing, what I’d been up to, etc and he genuinely listened & cared. He was always a blessing to everyone around him

  7. Dave and Pam O’Neal / December 22, 2023 at 3:33 pm

    We both liked Larry and Mandy when we first met them both. It was an honor to have the time we did with him at Covenant Worship Center. We loved his music and appreciated his talents. Not only that, but the love he had for everyone was obvious. We are so glad he called about 3 weeks ago so we could talk to him one more time. He will be missed.

  8. Pamela Smith / December 22, 2023 at 4:16 pm

    Larry was and is one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. He lit up a room with laughter, talent, telling you Jesus Loves You and never failed to end all conversations or parting company with, I LOVE YOU!!!!! What a huge loss for Mandy and Presley to lose a husband and Father who loves so deeply. My daily prayers for them peace and comfort to endure till the finish. Larry left them with so many happy memories. ✝️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

  9. Candy Capps / December 23, 2023 at 9:25 am

    Larry will be missed by many. He was always there to put a smile on your face. I grew up hearing about his music, mom and dad plus other family.members would go out on the weekend just to listen to him play.
    He made a couple special visits to our house when mom had dementia just to sing to her to see her smile. Larry has always been a special person and he is truly loved alot for that.
    Will miss our conversations.
    Fly high Larry your our angel now. Play some Elvis music up there. Love your cousin Candy

  10. Kristi Rasmussen / December 24, 2023 at 1:23 pm

    Larry was loved by everyone around him. He welcomed me to his extended family and blessed me with a performance at my wedding. He had a heart of solid gold and will be missed. Prayers and Love to Mandy, Presley, Jerri and Jen and of course all the littles and not so littles.

  11. Shaun Weiss / December 27, 2023 at 8:23 am

    To The Raymer Family, Larry has Eternal Life. Larry is also in and amongst family and friends. My life was enriched just being his friend, God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
    even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
    and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
    that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7

  12. Jill Cruse / December 27, 2023 at 10:42 am

    Larry’s voice and guitar filled our sanctuary at Gateway. What a treat it was to hear him play, “Oh Happy Day” in downtown Collinsville this Fall. He was a joy to be around, friendly, warm and kind. The world was definitely a better place because of Larry.

  13. mark sitton / December 28, 2023 at 10:47 pm

    Thank you Brother Larry for the simple things of life just making me feel Loved, you are an inspiration to many by the Love you expressed for peoples ,, you my friend will be missed we Love you

  14. Don / December 29, 2023 at 10:11 pm

    Absolutely sad to hear Larry was a big part of our young life. I love the Raymer family, and they will always be forever in my hearts.

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