Friends Remember Beloved Lemont Restaurant Owner

LEMONT, IL — Community members and businesses have come together to support a beloved Lemont business owner's family after his death in mid-November. Jae Lim, 48, owner of Lemont House restaurant, died unexpectedly of a heart attack on Nov. 15.

Lim's friend, Brian Phelan, created a GoFundMe, in memory of Lim and to raise funds for Lim's family.

Several Lemont businesses shared stories about Lim and his family, who are well-known around Lemont for supporting various community causes like the Lions Club and Little League.

"Always one to be charitable, and the first to donate and support Lemont causes, whether it was Little League Baseball, his alma mater- Lemont High School, the Lions Club, a fellow restaurant in need, or any other organization needing his assistance, Jae and his family have always been there," the GoFundMe states.

Phelan said Lim did everything at the family business, from cleaning tables, cooking and managing.

"Our hearts are heavy today, our neighbor from Lemont House Restaurant - Jae Lim - passed away unexpectedly over the weekend. Jae was a friend, a neighbor, a champion for small businesses in Lemont and a great man. We will miss his smile, his thoughtful gestures and kind words. Jae will be missed by our family and our entire staff. We send our prayers to his family during this extremely difficult time," nearby restaurant Digs on Canal wrote on Facebook.

Phelan set a goal of $5,000 for the GoFundMe, but donations quickly came in from community members and others who knew or worked with Lim. As of Dec. 1, over $22,000 has been raised for Lim's memorial.

"I felt I just had to do something to honor him in some meaningful way," Phelan said in an email to Patch. "Because of COVID restrictions it pains all of us very much that his family and the community could not have the large public wake that he deserves."

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.