Raymond
Raymond Beery
Raymond E. Beery of Kalamazoo passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2013 in Kalamazoo. Raymond was born June 30, 1927 in Otsego, the son of Clyde Cortland and Lillie Marie (Harper) Beery. He was a veteran of WW II, serving in the Navy. He was a member and Past Master of Anchor Masonic Lodge #22, Scottish Rite, Saladin Temple (Shriners) and was a Shrine clown. He was also a member of American Legion #36, Kalamazoo 40/8 Voiture #161 and Past Patron of the Otsego Eastern Star Chapter #497. Ray enjoyed deer hunting, fishing and reading. His work history includes: Beery’s Grocery in Otsego, Coca-Cola, Cadillac Overall Linen Supply, Campbell Fuller Weaver Insurance Agency, 2 Cities Motel, WMU as a groundskeeper and the KVCC Bookstore.
On July 23, 1949 in Kalamazoo, he married Rosemary Blanchard, who survives. Also surviving are 3 sons, Michael (April) Beery of Lawton, Bruce (Diane) Beery of Plainwell, Brian Beery of Kalamazoo; 3 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; one special aunt Beulah; several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Harold Beery.
Friends may meet with his family from 5-7 pm Thursday at the
Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego
, where a funeral service will be held at 1pm Friday with the Masonic Lodge and Hospice Chaplain Brendan McGroarty officiating. Cremation will follow the service with interment of ashes at Mountain Home Cemetery, Otsego with private services in the spring.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to
Shriners Hospital for Children
, the
Parkinson’s Foundation
or
GreatLakesHospiceFoundation.org
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Raymond Beery
Condolence Messages
Art & Margaret White
February 20, 2013 at 10:36 am
We were sorry to hear about your Dad’s death, Bruce. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers as you go thru this time of sorrow. Love, Art & Margaret
Reply
Virginai Hiemstra
February 20, 2013 at 2:56 pm
My very Deepest Sympathy – Ray was a very special person and will be missed by his many Friends. Know that Words can not help – But will keep the Family in prayer- Love Virginia(Ginny)
Reply
Theresa Sours
February 20, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Even though I haven’t seen much of them in recent years, I have always been fond of Raymond and Rosie. They are very special relatives. I am greatly saddened by his death and feel great empathy toward Rosie, especially since I lost my husband over a year ago. The whole family is in my prayers.
Reply
Darl and Joyce Gilliland
February 20, 2013 at 10:14 pm
Dear Rosemary,
We have many fond memories of you both at Otsego Eastern Star. May God be with you and your family. Bless you,
Darl and Joyce
Reply
Robin Pillars
February 21, 2013 at 12:11 am
Bruce &Diane, Sending our deepest sympathies to you and prayers for strength during this difficult time. God bless
Love, The Pillars family
Reply
Vicki Georgeau
February 21, 2013 at 9:44 am
Mike,
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. Best wishes for you and your family during this difficult time.
Sincerely, Vicki Georgeau
Reply
Don & Marge Smith
February 21, 2013 at 9:47 am
Rosie and Family,
Our thoughts are with you in this time of sadness. May you find confort in the enduring beauty of God’s world, and in the warmth of happy memories. God Bless you all.
Love,
Marge & Don Smith
Reply
Carey Jeschke
February 21, 2013 at 11:04 am
Brian and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Carey
Reply
Bob Warner (Kalamazoo Valley Book Store)
February 21, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Rosie and Family
We will always remember Ray’s smiling face, his dry sense of humor, his many stories about his hunting and fishing escapades and his many stories about Rosie.
We were fortunate to have Ray come and work with us following his retirement from WMU. What more could we have asked for than an employee that lived only 100 steps from the business, was punctual, related well to other employees, provided security for the building, especially when sitting on his back porch and most important, eventually bringing Rosie into the bookstore employment ranks.
Ray was the only person we knew that was better at catching mice with his feet than any mouse trap we could have ever purchased. At one time I remember a score card being posted and Ray was always in the lead over the trap. Because of Ray we had the cleanest, used, college textbooks in the industry. He was focused on getting every speck of dirt and glue off of the covers and then wiping the book cover with silicone. The books became like slippery fish as we tried to place them on the shelf.
Rosie, you always said that Ray was a bit shy and not outgoing. This was hard for us to believe after Ray and a couple of his friends went into action putting on their clown outfits and providing Homecoming entertainment at the University Book Store on Western’s campus. Children and adults were entertained as he welcomed them to the book store and then provided each customer with a balloon as they left the store.
Rosie and family, we know you will miss Ray immensely and so will we. It is the good times that Ray brought into our lives that will continue to make us smile and remember him forever.
Reply
Kimberly Poltrock
February 21, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Bruce,
Prayers and thoughts to you and your family at this time.
Reply
Robert Doerr
February 21, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Brother Ray – A great Brother, Knight and clown! He will be sorely missed and well remembered by allwho knew him. Prayers to Rosie and the family.
Reply
Shirley and Jay Smith-Day (Jim Smith's wife & daughter
February 21, 2013 at 8:03 pm
Dear Rosemary and Family, On behalf of Mom and I, for someone’s who never at a loss for words, I’m truly stuck with tears of gratitude for the friendship that you and Ray gave Mom and I when we were losing Dad. Ray was always a friend who without asking for something, was right there with it in hand, or had the right words at the right times. The smiles he provoked as a clown or the pride he showed in his “craft” made me smile and proud to call him friend. I have no doubt he and Dad will be sharing fishing and hunting stories, as they did when the times were right. As a true compliment, I will always think of Ray as one of the “original” and “old guard” for which Masonry was about. Thank you for sharing him, and we are so very sorry…. he will be missed by so many.
Reply
Mike and Diane (Anson) Phelps
February 21, 2013 at 10:50 pm
Dear Rosie and Family,
We just heard of Ray’s passing. He was a warm and friendly person and will always come to mind when we see balloon animals. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
(I can’t help but picture him and Homer sitting in heaven right now chatting.)
Reply
Steve & June Anson
February 22, 2013 at 9:22 am
Rosie & Family,
We were so sorry to hear Ray passed away. We have many special memories of times with Ray.. Sorry we can’t be there with you at this time, but our thoughts will be with you.
Steve & June
Reply
Trudy and Jerry Wright
February 22, 2013 at 9:39 am
Rosie and Brian,
We were very sorry to hear about Ray’s passing, and know it has been a very difficult year as you cared for him during his illness. You are such good friends and I sincerely appreciate all the help both of you gave me when I worked at Kalamazoo Valley. I couldn’t have done it without you, Brian! My prayer for you as you go through these difficult days is that you will find peace knowing that Ray’s suffering is now over. Take time to rest and know that we are with you. Trudy
Reply
Stan Bristol
February 22, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Bruce I was saddened to hear of your loss, I send prayers for you and Diane and the rest of the family. May God give you strength in the difficult time.
Reply
Mike
February 22, 2013 at 6:23 pm
Good by Dad,I love you.
Reply
Pamela Barden
February 23, 2013 at 9:31 am
Bruce and Family,
I am sorry to hear about your loss, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Pamela
Reply
Robert and Rita Sours
February 24, 2013 at 12:06 am
Dear Rosie,
Hope knowing that you’re thought of in a kind and loving way
Will help to ease your sorrow and bring you peace today.
Reply
michael
February 28, 2013 at 6:37 pm
I love you grandpa,see you in the spring……
Reply
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On July 23, 1949 in Kalamazoo, he married Rosemary Blanchard, who survives. Also surviving are 3 sons, Michael (April) Beery of Lawton, Bruce (Diane) Beery of Plainwell, Brian Beery of Kalamazoo; 3 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; one special aunt Beulah; several cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Harold Beery.
Friends may meet with his family from 5-7 pm Thursday at the
Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego
, where a funeral service will be held at 1pm Friday with the Masonic Lodge and Hospice Chaplain Brendan McGroarty officiating. Cremation will follow the service with interment of ashes at Mountain Home Cemetery, Otsego with private services in the spring.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to
Shriners Hospital for Children
, the
Parkinson’s Foundation
or
GreatLakesHospiceFoundation.org
.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Raymond Beery
Condolence Messages
Art & Margaret White
February 20, 2013 at 10:36 am
We were sorry to hear about your Dad’s death, Bruce. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers as you go thru this time of sorrow. Love, Art & Margaret
Reply
Virginai Hiemstra
February 20, 2013 at 2:56 pm
My very Deepest Sympathy – Ray was a very special person and will be missed by his many Friends. Know that Words can not help – But will keep the Family in prayer- Love Virginia(Ginny)
Reply
Theresa Sours
February 20, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Even though I haven’t seen much of them in recent years, I have always been fond of Raymond and Rosie. They are very special relatives. I am greatly saddened by his death and feel great empathy toward Rosie, especially since I lost my husband over a year ago. The whole family is in my prayers.
Reply
Darl and Joyce Gilliland
February 20, 2013 at 10:14 pm
Dear Rosemary,
We have many fond memories of you both at Otsego Eastern Star. May God be with you and your family. Bless you,
Darl and Joyce
Reply
Robin Pillars
February 21, 2013 at 12:11 am
Bruce &Diane, Sending our deepest sympathies to you and prayers for strength during this difficult time. God bless
Love, The Pillars family
Reply
Vicki Georgeau
February 21, 2013 at 9:44 am
Mike,
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. Best wishes for you and your family during this difficult time.
Sincerely, Vicki Georgeau
Reply
Don & Marge Smith
February 21, 2013 at 9:47 am
Rosie and Family,
Our thoughts are with you in this time of sadness. May you find confort in the enduring beauty of God’s world, and in the warmth of happy memories. God Bless you all.
Love,
Marge & Don Smith
Reply
Carey Jeschke
February 21, 2013 at 11:04 am
Brian and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Carey
Reply
Bob Warner (Kalamazoo Valley Book Store)
February 21, 2013 at 1:26 pm
Rosie and Family
We will always remember Ray’s smiling face, his dry sense of humor, his many stories about his hunting and fishing escapades and his many stories about Rosie.
We were fortunate to have Ray come and work with us following his retirement from WMU. What more could we have asked for than an employee that lived only 100 steps from the business, was punctual, related well to other employees, provided security for the building, especially when sitting on his back porch and most important, eventually bringing Rosie into the bookstore employment ranks.
Ray was the only person we knew that was better at catching mice with his feet than any mouse trap we could have ever purchased. At one time I remember a score card being posted and Ray was always in the lead over the trap. Because of Ray we had the cleanest, used, college textbooks in the industry. He was focused on getting every speck of dirt and glue off of the covers and then wiping the book cover with silicone. The books became like slippery fish as we tried to place them on the shelf.
Rosie, you always said that Ray was a bit shy and not outgoing. This was hard for us to believe after Ray and a couple of his friends went into action putting on their clown outfits and providing Homecoming entertainment at the University Book Store on Western’s campus. Children and adults were entertained as he welcomed them to the book store and then provided each customer with a balloon as they left the store.
Rosie and family, we know you will miss Ray immensely and so will we. It is the good times that Ray brought into our lives that will continue to make us smile and remember him forever.
Reply
Kimberly Poltrock
February 21, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Bruce,
Prayers and thoughts to you and your family at this time.
Reply
Robert Doerr
February 21, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Brother Ray – A great Brother, Knight and clown! He will be sorely missed and well remembered by allwho knew him. Prayers to Rosie and the family.
Reply
Shirley and Jay Smith-Day (Jim Smith's wife & daughter
February 21, 2013 at 8:03 pm
Dear Rosemary and Family, On behalf of Mom and I, for someone’s who never at a loss for words, I’m truly stuck with tears of gratitude for the friendship that you and Ray gave Mom and I when we were losing Dad. Ray was always a friend who without asking for something, was right there with it in hand, or had the right words at the right times. The smiles he provoked as a clown or the pride he showed in his “craft” made me smile and proud to call him friend. I have no doubt he and Dad will be sharing fishing and hunting stories, as they did when the times were right. As a true compliment, I will always think of Ray as one of the “original” and “old guard” for which Masonry was about. Thank you for sharing him, and we are so very sorry…. he will be missed by so many.
Reply
Mike and Diane (Anson) Phelps
February 21, 2013 at 10:50 pm
Dear Rosie and Family,
We just heard of Ray’s passing. He was a warm and friendly person and will always come to mind when we see balloon animals. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
(I can’t help but picture him and Homer sitting in heaven right now chatting.)
Reply
Steve & June Anson
February 22, 2013 at 9:22 am
Rosie & Family,
We were so sorry to hear Ray passed away. We have many special memories of times with Ray.. Sorry we can’t be there with you at this time, but our thoughts will be with you.
Steve & June
Reply
Trudy and Jerry Wright
February 22, 2013 at 9:39 am
Rosie and Brian,
We were very sorry to hear about Ray’s passing, and know it has been a very difficult year as you cared for him during his illness. You are such good friends and I sincerely appreciate all the help both of you gave me when I worked at Kalamazoo Valley. I couldn’t have done it without you, Brian! My prayer for you as you go through these difficult days is that you will find peace knowing that Ray’s suffering is now over. Take time to rest and know that we are with you. Trudy
Reply
Stan Bristol
February 22, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Bruce I was saddened to hear of your loss, I send prayers for you and Diane and the rest of the family. May God give you strength in the difficult time.
Reply
Mike
February 22, 2013 at 6:23 pm
Good by Dad,I love you.
Reply
Pamela Barden
February 23, 2013 at 9:31 am
Bruce and Family,
I am sorry to hear about your loss, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Pamela
Reply
Robert and Rita Sours
February 24, 2013 at 12:06 am
Dear Rosie,
Hope knowing that you’re thought of in a kind and loving way
Will help to ease your sorrow and bring you peace today.
Reply
michael
February 28, 2013 at 6:37 pm
I love you grandpa,see you in the spring……
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
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Name
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