Raymond Edward Wiersema, Jr.

Raymond E. Wiersema, Jr., age 97, of Grand Haven, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, in Grand Haven, MI. He was born on July 18, 1928, in Grand Rapids, MI, to Raymond E. and Madalene Z. (Hodge) Wiersema, Sr. Ray married Ida M. "Jill" Gillette on March 29, 1952, in Niles, MI. She preceded him in death on August 20, 2017, after 65 years of marriage.

Ray grew up in Kalamazoo and graduated from Western Michigan University. After graduation, he served his country during the Korean Conflict as a Lieutenant (Junior Grade) in the U.S. Navy Supply Corps at the Navy's Purchasing Offices in Washington, D.C. and New York City from 1952 to 1955. Later, he became a Lieutenant in the Reserves.

In 1958, after working for Whirlpool Corporation in Clyde, OH, Ray and Jill moved to Grand Haven, MI, where Ray joined Security First Bank (now, Fifth Third Bank). Ray retired in 1984 as Senior Vice President after 26 years in banking.

Ray and Jill have been members of First Presbyterian Church in Grand Haven since 1958. He variously served as Elder, Trustee and Treasurer, sang in the choir, participated in the Stephens Ministry, and did volunteer financial counseling. Community service was important to Ray. He was a 30-year member of the Grand Haven Rotary Club and a five-year Treasurer of the Tri Cities Chamber of Commerce. He was appointed to Grand Haven City Council in 1999 to fill a pre-election vacancy and served on the boards of several other community organizations. Ray was a member of the Grand Haven Harbor Board until it was disbanded in 2023, and was also member of the Grand Haven American Legion, Charles A. Conklin Post 28.

In retirement, Ray and Jill continued to live in Grand Haven, but spent winters at Briny Breezes, FL. Ray served for over a decade as a weekly host for Briny Breezes' Channel 8 Morning Show and was active in a number of social and benevolent organizations. He volunteered at the Boynton Beach hospital, mentored a teenager, participated in Citizens Police Academies in Florida and Michigan, and volunteered for a suicide hotline.

In Florida, Ray was cast as a shuffleboard player for the movie, "In Her Shoes," staring Shirley MacLaine and Cameron Diaz. He enjoyed playing his trumpet in the Gold Coast Community Band in Boynton Beach, FL, and marched in the Scottsville Clown Band in Michigan. Ray and Jill sailed "Hobo" (their 34-foot sailboat) from Grand Haven, through the Great Lakes and the Erie Canal, down to the Florida coast, and on to The Bahamas. Twice more, he repeated the Grand Haven to Florida trip, including on "Hobo II." Ray often crewed on friends' sail boats across Lake Michigan, both for leisure and to compete in races such as the Chicago to Mackinac and the Queens' Cup.

Ray enjoyed spending time with family, neighbors, friends, and making new acquaintances. He collected coins and stamps and enjoyed watching ships and boats enter and exit the channel by the Grand Haven Pier.

Ray is survived by his three daughters: Lynn (David) Phipps of Elizabethtown, KY, Carol (Douglas) Jensen of Palmyra, VA, and Dr. Janet (Cheri Peterson) Wiersema, (DrPH) of Brooklyn, NY; as well as seven grandchildren in seven states, their seven spouses, and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jill; and brothers and sisters-in-law, John (Patricia) Gillette and James (Margaret) Gillette.

A Visitation for Ray will take place at noon, followed by a Memorial Service at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 26, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Dr. Troy Hauser Brydon officiating. Full Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion, Charles A. Conklin Post 28. Interment will be at Lake Forest Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests Memorial Contributions be made to First Presbyterian Church or to the Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity.

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