Merced Salinas Vera Jr's Obituary
Merced Salinas Vera Jr., 87, peacefully went home to the Lord on Friday, September 20th, 2019, with his family surrounded by his side at Royal View in Mecosta, Michigan. Merced was born on February 21, 1932 in San Diego, Texas and was the youngest of his siblings.
Merced is survived by his wife of 63 year, Beatrice Vera, and on August 22nd, 1956 they were married in Corpus Christi, Texas. He is also survived by his children, Rene Vera, Elmer Vera, Gregory Vera and Alice McKenna. He had 7 surviving grandchildren, Angela (James) Dickman, Gigi (John) Mananasala,, Jelean (Greg) Melencio, Marissa (John) Barbero-Unenge, Bethany (Andrew) Haynes, Anissa Stebbins, and Kaley McKenna. Merced leaves behind 20 great-grandchildren.
He worked as a body mechanic for 32 years at Bollinger's in Lakeview and repaired many vehicles for the local townspeople who called him by his nickname, Rene.
In the 1950's he deejayed and performed live music on local radio stations in Corpus Christi, Texas and spoke fondly of his musical connections through the years. He loved to give the grandchildren rides on his lawn mower and tractor and he frequently took Beatrice and his grandchildren to the local Ponderosa to enjoy the buffet. Merced loved history and enjoyed sharing stories of the good old days when life was simple and different than today's world.
He was preceded in death by his loving daughter, Cheryl Lynn Vera, his treasured grandson, Jarron Michael Vera, grandson in-law Nicholas Galdeen, mother Anastasia Salinas, father Merced Salinas Vera Sr., and all his siblings.
A celebration of Merced's life will be planned and announced at a later date at the wishes of his family.
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