Gilbert C. Redmer

Gilbert (Gil) Redmer Sr.

'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ' 2 Timothy 4:7

Gil was escorted into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday evening December 1st, with his loving and adoring family present at his home.
He was born on November 21, 1942 the 3rd of 5 children to Grace (Schumacher) and Ewald Redmer in Hazel Park, Michigan. In 1948 Ewald bought a farm on Nelson Rd in East Jordan and moved the family there, where Gil would graduate High School in 1960.
On June 23rd, 1961 he married Loretta Musser also from East Jordan. They had 3 children, Gilbert Jr, Laurel (Laurie) and Raquel, and in 1967 Rose Hayes became the “big sister” to these 3 when she came into the family. They were married for 19 years. On August 27, 1987 Gil married Sheila Rajkovich, and son Nick became “little” brother to the family.
Gil was highly skilled and talented in the tool and die trade, so much so that in 1969 the owners of Altair Tool and Die located in Mt Clemens, Michigan offered him an opportunity to have his own stamping facility when he told them he was moving back to Northern Michigan from Warren instead of losing him altogether. He managed that branch of Altair, which had grown to over 60 employees, until 1984. He opened his own Tool and Die business, Boyne Precision, when Altair sold to a bigger corporation. In 1993, Interlock Corporation located in Westland, Michigan recruited him and hired him to manage a branch of their company at the old Altair site in Boyne along with keeping his own business running. That plant ended up employing over 100 employees until Framatome Connectors from France purchased Interlock in 1998, and would subsequently move the facility to various parts of US and Mexico in early 2000’s. Boyne Precision remained in business until the mid 2010’s.
Gil never considered himself fully retired and those close to him knew he always had a “hot job” to do. He instilled an incredible work ethic in his family and always taught: “there is a right way, a wrong way, and the Redmer way”.
Gil had immense pride in his grandchildren. He had an especially fond relationship with his grandson “big Andy” and his cousin Marty Schumacher whom he always looked out for until Marty’s passing.
Along with his business acumen, in his younger years through the 70’s and 80’s, he used his athletic ability in playing and coaching teams in the local softball and basketball leagues in Boyne City. Break times at Boyne Precision often involved some intense basketball games amongst Gil’s employees and himself and brother Gary who was his right hand man at BP.
He was a loyal member of Christ Lutheran Church in Boyne City, and served as a trustee for several years. He loved landscaping, cooking, animal watching, fishing, watching any professional Detroit sports team, and was a huge University of Michigan fan. (Truth be told, he also enjoyed MSU) He was always at his grandsons football, basketball, and baseball games in Boyne, and had a pointer for them after each contest, (and always in between).
Gil leaves behind to carry his torch and legacy, his wife and heartbeat Sheila (gramma). Children Rose Kolinske and husband Robert, Gil Jr and wife Terrie, Laurie Bogema and husband Jon, Raquel Fair and husband Chris, Nick and wife Emilea. He also leaves behind his brother Gary Redmer and wife Margaret, brother-in-law Leo Danforth, and sister Cyndee Deyoung. His real pride and joy were his grandchildren: Nick Erber/Lapierre (Michael), Lindsey Randstatler (RJ), Rebekah Moes (Nick), Lisa Redmer, Stephen Redmer (Sabrina), Michael Bogema, Big Andy, Jacob Fair (Stephanie), Caleb Fair, Abbi Fair (Kris Trevino), Jordan Fair (Kara), Caden Rajkovich, Conner(boy) Rajkovich and Abbey Wright, and Camryn Rajkovich. He was blessed with several great grandchildren: Bella, Ellie, Lizzie, Maddie, Jason, Braylon, River, Sophia, Noah, Alice Mae, and Maggie along with several nieces and nephews.
Gil was preceded to heaven by his parents Ewald and Grace Redmer, sisters Yvonne Schadei and Faith Danforth, and brother-in-laws Werner Schadei and Doug Deyoung, and as mentioned earlier, his dear cousin Marty Schumacher
Visitation is 10:00-11:00 am with Funeral Service immediately following Saturday December 7 at Christ Lutheran Church in Boyne City.

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