Raymond Gabriel Mieras

Raymond Gabriel Mieras, age 93 of Grand Haven, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 4, 2021 at Hospice at Heartwood Lodge. He was born on February 23, 1928 in Grand Haven, MI to the late John E. and Ella (Osterberg) Mieras.

Ray was a loyal patriot, through and through, with a deep love for his country and proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952, during the Korean Conflict. He married the former Janet Blaney on October 23, 1953 in Grand Haven and they welcomed two daughters, Kim, in 1958, and Mary, in 1962. Janet passed away on September 15, 2000. Ray then married Linda Bakale Schroeder on December 20, 2004 in Spring Lake and they enjoyed spending their golden years together, living on the Lake Michigan shoreline and traveling to Florida in the winter.

A kind gentleman, he lived in Grand Haven all of his life and was a retired Sergeant of the Grand Haven Police Department, after providing 29 years of service. Prior to this, he worked as a line-man for the Grand Haven Board of Light & Power. Ray was also past-owner of Wash King Laundromat in Spring Lake, the Whippi-Dip in Silver Lake, and a partner in K & M Enterprise. He enjoyed being a business owner.

Ray was a long time member of the United Methodist Church of the Dunes and also attended Harvey Memorial Church of Bradenton Beach, FL. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 2326 and the American Legion Post 28 for over 60 years. Ray was a big advocate of Coast Guard City, USA which he proudly displayed in many ways at his home. He loved to “putz” around his house and watch the freighters coming in and out of the Grand Haven harbor. One of his favorite expressions as he looked out from his home was, “This is God’s view.”

Ray was a child of the Great Depression and it affected him greatly, causing him to have a profound appreciation for everything he had. Ray was deeply kind, a type of kindness one would find in a gentleman from a bygone era. He was also incredibly happy, joyful, loving and gracious. He had a deep love for his country, his community, and the U.S. Coast Guard. He was known to everyone by his favorite expression, “Hey Buddy.”

Ray was the lifetime Honorary Chief of the Cutters Woodbine and Acacia and had many articles written in various newspapers for his love of the Coast Guard. He loved living in Grand Haven, enjoying the lake, boats, and the ships passing through. Growing up, Ray and his friends spent most of their time around Lake Michigan along the Grand River, swimming, rowing back and forth, playing in the woods along the shoreline, playing tennis, and skiing down Dewey Hill or the higher and lower donkey trails at the Water Tank. For many years you would find him taking care of Escanaba Park by trimming around the various markers or just talking to those who passed by.           

Ray is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter, Kim (John) Zevalkink; grandchildren, Mary Katherine (Eric) Pagels and their son, William; John (Tamara) Zevalkink and their children, Clara Ann and John Douglas (JD); step-children, Paula (Mark) Bekins and Lisa (Daniel) Luckey; step-grandchildren, Dr. Drew Bekins, Morgan (A.J.) Lagomarsino, and Ellery and Miya Luckey. 

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Janet; his daughter, Mary Lynn Mieras; brother, Warren Mieras; and sister & brother-in-law, Winifred and Donald Badcon.

The Funeral Service for this joyful, loving man will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 13, 2021 at the United Methodist Church of the Dunes with Rev. Eldon Eldred officiating.  Friends are invited to meet the family from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 12th, at Klaassen Family Funeral Home.

Please Note: Masks and Social Distancing will be required. Full Military Honors will be performed by the American Legion, Charles A. Conklin Post #28. Interment will be in Lake Forest Cemetery. 

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Grand Haven Community Foundation-Greatest Needs Fund or Hospice of North Ottawa Community-Heartwood Lodge.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Raymond Gabriel Mieras, please visit our floral store.