Raymond Francis Jachim, a longtime community volunteer and advocate for people with disabilities, died July 14. He was 87.
To know Jachim, friends said, was to know kindness.
A graduate of Charles J. Sahs Elementary School (1950), J. Sterling Morton High School (1954), and Moraine Valley Community College (1972), Jachim was honored with the college’s distinguished alumni award in 1990. In March 2025, he was inducted into the Moraine Valley Community College Hall of Fame.
Jachim served in the Army from 1955 to 1958. He worked in human resources and safety roles at Acorn Corrugated Box Co. in Bedford Park and later at General Foam Corp. in Bridgeview. He also served on the Bedford Park Clearing Industrial Association Board and collaborated with unions, OSHA and local governments to promote worker and community safety.
In retirement, he became a property manager for General Foam and later joined Bridgeview’s first class of auxiliary police officers. In his 70s, he stood on street corners during summer concerts, directing traffic and keeping neighbors safe.
Jachim began his civic service in 1975 as a founding member of the Bridgeview Lions Club. He became a life member in 1999 and remained active for nearly 50 years. His involvement began after seeking resources to support his deaf son, Raymond. That connection sparked a lifelong commitment to Lionism.
He held numerous roles in the Lions, including president, vice president, treasurer, secretary and membership chair in the Bridgeview club, as well as region chair, vice district governor and district governor in District 1-A. He received several honors, including the Melvin Jones Humanitarian Award and the Presidential Certificate from Lions Clubs International.
Jachim also served on the school boards of Indian Springs District 109, the AERO Special Education Cooperative and Argo Community High School District 217 from 1987 to 1991.
In retirement, he stayed active with the Zion Lutheran Church in Summit, serving on the Board of Elders, as vice chairman and chairman of the Church Council, and as a director at Bethania Cemetery.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Marlene D. Greisheim; his daughter, Michele Jachim-Eden; his parents, Frank and Lillian Jachim; and his mother-in-law, Dorothy Griesheim. He was also preceded by his brothers-in-law Robert Mesec and James White, along with many extended family members.
He is survived by his sons, U.S. Navy Lt. Mark R. Jachim (Retired) and Raymond F. Jachim II; daughter Lisa Beveridge (Gerald Lencki); and his sister, Cynthia White. He leaves behind grandchildren Katelyn Ashbery (William), Nathan Eden (Alyssa Fagan), Paige Eden (fiancé Josh Kopp), Sarah Beveridge (Ryan Ward), Scott Beveridge, Stephen Beveridge (Gabriella Rosales) and Spencer Beveridge.
He also adored his great-grandchildren, Wesley Kopp and Charlotte Eden, and will be missed by his close friend Gregory Bednarz, his fellow Lions members and former colleagues from VCNA Prairie Materials.
Services were held Sunday and Monday at Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home & Crematorium with interment at Bethania Cemetery in Justice.
Dawn Grogan, secretary of the Bridgeview Lions Club, said the loss of Jachim is a great one.
“I joined the Lions Club in 2000 and Lion Ray became my role model, my mentor. He had many traits that I respected and admired. He was honest, loyal, and was open to change. Even when change was hard. He gave me confidence, support, and encouragement. He had a gift of gab. I would call him with a quick question, and we would end up talking for 45 minutes. I have 25 years of good memories of him and our talks. He was a good man, a good Lion, and I will miss him very much.”
Donations may be made to the Raymond F. Jachim II Trust for his continued care. Checks should be payable to “Raymond Francis Jachim II SNF” and mailed to Lisa Beveridge or Mark Skala at P.O. Box 1164, Bridgeview, IL 60455. Donations can also be made to Voices Lions 1-A, 15230 S. Hamlin Ave., Midlothian IL 60445. Make checks payable to VOICES.