Ray Syers

Donald Ray Syers, age 89 of Fremont, formerly of Holton, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at the Corewell Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Hospital in Fremont.  Ray was born on October 15, 1933 in Holton Township to Otto Benjamin and Margaret Belle (Noble) Syers and graduated from Holton High School in 1951.  Ray was drafted in the United States Army where he served during the Korean War until his honorable discharge as Corporal and was a member of the Holton American Legion.  Ray met and later married Jeane Delight (Rought) Converse on June 5, 1959 in Holton.  Ray has been a lifelong resident of the area and had been a purchasing agent for the State of Michigan – Muskegon Regional Center for many years until his retirement in 1984.  Ray enjoyed being outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He enjoyed traveling to Canada on hunting and fishing trips and moose hunting.  He never missed a sporting event of his grandchildren or great grandchildren and was a great supporter of their teams.  He and Jeane enjoyed spending winters in Englewood, Florida for over 30 years and enjoyed visiting and going out for dinner with family and friends. 

Ray is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Jean of Fremont; his daughter, Sheila (Robert) Cregg of Branch, Michigan; daughter-in-law, Kyle (Merrill) Converse of Fremont; 6 grandchildren, Robert (Gina Martin) Cregg Jr. of Twin Lake; Bryan (Susan Shepard) Cregg of Mobile, Alabama; Jeff (Deb Borgman) Converse of Fremont; Damon (Ginger Stroven) Converse of Fremont; Mieka (Jay) Downing of Rockford; Halley (Jeremy) Parker of Fremont; 13 great grandchildren; 9 great great grandchildren; nieces and nephews, Bill and Nancy Halbower; Fran and Harold Dulin; Bill and Courtney Halbower; Ben and Lia Halbower; Lisa and Stan Bush; Bobbie Syers; Mary Beth Syers and Jim Syers; Teddy Pyatt; Tom Pyatt, Shelly and Terry Shanafelt; Dorothy and Joe Bolles; Stacey Shanafelt; Becky (Lester) Adams; Sandy Welsch; Marlita; Pat & Liz Bolles; Beverly Verschuren; Ornie Heiss; special friends, Sherry, Don, Kyle, Mike, Ernie, Marty, and many many more.   Ray was preceded in death by his son, Michael Converse; his parents, Otto and Margaret Syers; brothers, Bob (Clio) Syers; Junior Syers; Jimmy Syers; sisters, Patty (Ted) Pyatt; Mary Syers; Elizabeth (Bill) Halbower; his niece, Lee Ann Halbower; nephew, Jack Syers. 

TIME OF CELEBRATION AND LUNCHEON : Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Holton American Legion 9150 Holton Road Holton MI 49425 with MILITARY HONORS at 2:00pm under the auspice of the Holton American Legion Honor Guard and the United States Army.  Interment will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Holton.   Friends may consider memorial contributions to the Specialty Services Cancer Services Center at Corewell Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial in Fremont in memory of Ray.  Friends may send a condolence or share a memory of Ray online at www.crandellfh.com.  Arrangements by Crandell Funeral Home – Fremont Chapel  231-924-0800