Jim was born December 1, 1944 in San Diego, CA to Helen and Martin Reinemann. He grew up in Dekalb, IL as the oldest of five kids then spent most of his adult life in Lake County, IL. He met his wife of 45 years, Deborah, at NIU while working toward his MBA. He was drafted into the US Army in January, 1967. He and Deborah moved to Germany where they had their first son, David James. After moving back to the United States in 1969 they had two daughters, Heika Mary and Karla Baie. He started teaching at the College of Lake County in 1970, where he mentored and touched the lives of thousands of students before retiring in 2004.
His life ended too soon and too suddenly. His life was as full as it could have been - he lived every day with passion. He loved fishing with his children and grandchildren, hunting with his brother and friends, playing poker with fellow retired CLC professors, and meeting new people while traveling to new places. He also loved being outdoors at his tree farm where he planted trees and logged. But his greatest passion was his seven grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah, son David (Victoria), daughters Heika (Jeff) Hibbert, and Karla (Jake)Mihalak, grandchildren James and Elizabeth Reinemann, Elijah and Liam Hibbert, Calvin, Warner, and Henry Mihalak, mother Helen, brothers Thomas (Lynda) and Richard (Nancy), sisters Mary (Scott) and Marcia, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Martin Reinemann, and brother-in-law Frank Walker.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to The Jim Reinemann Memorial Scholarship fund in care of CLC Foundation, or to Habitat for Humanity.
Visitation Sunday September 30th from 2:00 - 4:00 at Marsh Funeral Home 305 N. Cemetery Rd., Gurnee, IL. Funeral service following the visitation at 4:00pm.
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