Ray Seppamaki

Ray Alan Seppamaki, 74, of Comstock Park, passed away in his home on July 6, 2021 after failing health. He was followed by his wife, Judy, who passed peacefully on July 7, 2021 after a battle with an aggressive terminal cancer.

Ray was born to Ray and Ruth Seppamaki in Muskegon, Michigan on October 1,1946. He was the oldest of three children growing up in the Eastside of Muskegon. He attended Our Redeemer Lutheran School for grade school. Then graduated from Muskegon High School in 1964. He attended Western Michigan University and received a Bachelors in Business.

Ray and Judy Van Haften were married on November 29, 1968 and had their 52nd anniversary. They enjoyed travel, camping, reading and going to White Caps games together. They were both committed to their church.

Ray often talked about his job with Coke where he was a Production Scheduler. He became a realtor after leaving Coke. Ray’s knowledge that he was a sinner saved by grace, led him to get involved with the Gideons, being on the church Extension Board, and working as a sitter for a home health care provider. These all gave him a sense of helping others which brought him great satisfaction. Ray loved striking up conversations with people he would meet and being a witness.

Ray leaves behind two siblings, Phil Seppamaki of Eagon, Mn., and Jane Seppamaki Swinehart of Albertville, Mn., and many nieces and nephews.

Over the past month, Phil and Jane each had a precious week with Ray and visiting Judy in Hospice. Conversations of sweet memories and talks of things in life that become difficult as we age. One of those was golf which Ray loved and wished he could still do. He spoke of many memories during the trip to visit Judy. Ray recalled the many happy memories he and Judy shared. He talked of his appreciation for the men at Gideon’s that he met with every Saturday. He appreciated his church and the people who so lovingly supported them in resent months. Every night, Ray enjoyed sitting under his stoop and greeted the neighbors who walked by. He was so thankful for the neighbors who had helped him and Judy through the many years. The neighbor ladies and man who came to help him with the house and those from church who brought meals, warmed his heart. Even in his failing health, Ray would still go and sit with an ailing man whose family wanted to go to mass and out to eat on a Saturday night. He said that it was something he could do for someone else.

We are thankful for God’s mercy that Ray and Judy are together in a better place and united with their Savior. They will be missed and hold a special place in our hearts.

Services will be on Saturday, July 17,2021 at Grace Lutheran Church. It is located at 300 Cleveland, Coopersville, Mi. Visitation starts at 11, with Memorial Service following at 12. Refreshments will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Faith Hospice or the Gideon’s.