Muriel entered eternal rest Wednesday, December 21, 2022.
Muriel was born May 22, 1927 at Forest Hill, MI to Earl and Augusta (Deline) Michael. She was united in marriage to Robert Lee Raycraft on August 17, 1947 in Pleasant Valley, MI. They celebrated life together for 64 years before his passing in 2011. They wintered for many years in Zephyrhills, FL and enjoyed travel and camping with family and friends throughout their married life. They built their retirement home on a 79-acre farm in Alamo Township when Mr. Raycraft retired from The Upjohn Company in 1977. Muriel was a gifted seamstress, crafter and gardener and a long-time member of Grace Harbor Church, formerly known as the Westwood Church of God.
She is survived by a daughter Cindra (Robert) Froman of Kalamazoo and a son, Mark (Jeri) Raycraft of Stevensville, MI; a grandson Kenneth (Lorien Cunningham) Dyke, granddaughters Laine (Ben) Allen of Grand Rapids; Lauren Raycraft of San Diego, CA; Caroline (Richard) Collier, Kalamazoo and Stephanie (Shawn) Mcelvain, Kalamazoo; seven great-grandchildren; a brother James (Roberta) Michael, St. Louis, MI; sisters Carla DeMott, Middlebury, IN and JoAnne Peet, Alma, MI and a sister-in-law, MaryAnn Raycraft, Longmont, CO; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Raycraft, and a grandson, Matthew Dyke.
Friends may attend visitation with her family starting at 12:30 P.M., Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego, until the time of the funeral service at 1:30 P.M., officiated by Rev. William Ferguson.
Interment will follow at Alamo Center Cemetery.
Messages of condolence may be left at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Deborah Moore
Bob and Mickie were a very special couple. My boys used to bale hay with Bob every summer. Mickie such a sweet precious lady. May God bless you and comfort you during this time of loss. Our sincere sympathy and condolences.
Cindra E. Froman
Thank you for sharing this memory.
Joyce Kuzmitowicz
Sincere condolences to family and friends of “Mickey” Raycraft. Bob and Mickey were remarkable people, so loving and caring to so many. They were generous souls in various ways. Thank you, Mickey, for making me feel special and for your example to me and others too. Blessings to family as they grieve your loss.
Cindra E. Froman
Thank you for your kind remembrance of Mom and my Dad.
William S Creech
Mickie was one of the nicest people I ever had the privilege of knowing.
She will surely be missed. But now can be reunited with Bob ad Tim.
Cindra E. Froman
Thank you, Bill. My parents loved the home you built them. Mother always spoke highly of you.
Rebecca Ann DeVries
What a honor it was to be the caregiver to Muriel. She was a joy to work for she had a positive self determination to make sure she continued to take care of all her responsibilities in her home and in her flower beds and landscaping. She took pride in everything she put her hands to the task of doing. Sometimes I would come to the house and she was no where inside. She would be out back weeding and pruning her flowers and bushes. She would even take the wheelbarrow down the hill to burn pile. Muriel was a loving compassionate and caring beautiful lady. I will miss are times of humor and laughter, our hours spent while she shared the many memories of how she meant the husband she adored and loved and about the love she had for her children and grandchildren. She was the grandmother to me I never had as a child growing up. When I see flowers I will remember her her love and beautiful positive attitude will forever be in my heart. She will be missed by many but her memories will keep her alive in our hearts. Muriel introduced to me and shared the Raycraft traditional pancakes, butter, maple syrup, with cherry pie filling served with sausage. It is now a favorite for myself.
She told me one day, just this summer, she was curious what was in the lower barn so she had to check it out. I said “And how did you get there.” She said, I rolled down the hill but when I got there I thought now Muriel how are you going to get yourself back up. M”. She said, “ I crawled to the door and prayed I could find something sturdy enough to get myself pulled back up to stand.” “I found a place to get my fingers under and the door knob and a pulled myself up.” Her love for her spouse, children and her beautiful farm and home gave her the Will to live and to keep herself going. But her self determination to be self efficient and care for herself and her home gave her the Will power to keep on keeping on. She gave of herself and her love to who ever had the privilege to meet her during her short time on earth. Muriel has taken her angels wings and has flown home to forever be with loving husband and son and the many other lived-ones she loved so dearly. Muriel I will miss you, but the memories and the live you gave will always be hidden in my heart. R.I.P.
All my love your caregiver.
Cindra E. Froman
Dear Rebecca, Mark and I appreciate all the love and attention you gave our mother. You were one of her favorite caregivers. Thank you for your beautiful message. God bless you always.
The Ogle Family
We are so sad for the loss of Mrs. R. She was such a light in our lives. We only knew her for a year because we are new to Michigan, but she had such an impact on our whole family and we all love her dearly. She was funny, never held back her opinions, sharp as a tack, and sweet and caring all at the same time. We miss her tremendously.
Cindra E. Froman
Mother JUST LOVED you as her new neighbors. And how much you helped her when she needed someone “just up the road.” Thank you for being such loving servants of God.
The Ogle Family
It was our pleasure, truly. She was a blessing in our lives.
Beth Barrett
I was so sorry to hear of Mickey Raycraft’s passing. She was a beautiful woman who loved the Lord and loved her family, and was always so friendly, kind, warm and giving. Her life was a blessing…
Jim Hoffman/John Glessner aka "jimmyjohn"
I met Muriel a few years ago when her husband Bob was still with her. A friend recommended storing my travel trailer in their barn. Myself and a friend stored our units in their pole barn, every fall when we pulled our units there she called us JIMMYJOHN! She was such a great lady and friend to us. We sold our units about 3years ago so have not seen her since. You will be missed great friend and now rest in HEAVENLY PEACE
Lorraine Croy
I was blessed to know Bob and Mickey from worshiping at Westwood. They were an amazing of love in their care for Tim. I admired the way Mickey spoke her mind….you didn’t have to wonder what she thought! I had the privilege of baling hay on the farm several years. They didn’t care I was female and not young….they welcomed the help. Good times and good memories of some dear, dear people!