Arnold Raaum

Arne Raaum, 82, of Springfield passed away on April 1, 2007 at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Arne was born March 9, 1925 in Fortuna, ND son of Ole and Clara Christiansen Raaum. He married Rene Starr on March 17, 1946 at the Fithian United Methodist Church. She preceded him in July of 1979. Survivors include three daughters: Marcia (Mike) Dennis of Normal, Susan Raaum of Springfield, & Robin (Scott) Schingel of Urbana. Four grandchildren: Justin & Heather Dennis and Alec & John Schingel; sister Esther Bloom of Evansville, WY; brother Orville Raaum of Williston, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and three sisters. Arne was a 43 graduate of Billings Montana High School and served in the U.S. Army Air Corp. He worked for Grittens INC., owned Raaums Standard Service in Oakwood, Instructor at VOTEC in Danville, and was a field equipment manager at Sugar Cane Coop. in Belle Glade, Florida. He was a member of the Fithian United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday school superintendent and lay minister. A Celebration of Arnes Life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 5, 2007 at the Fithian United Methodist Church with Pastor Allen Miller officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday evening from 5-8 p.m. at the Sunsets Chapel in Oakwood, Illinois. He will be laid to rest at Stearns Cemetery in Fithian. Memorials may be made to the Fithian United Methodist Church.