- Date Of Birth: October 6, 1929
- Date Of Death: January 13, 2013
- State: Michigan
LaVern L. Raab, of Ionia formerly of Orleans died peacefully at home on January 13, 2013 at the age of 83. He was born on October 6, 1929 in Ionia Township the son of Jacob and Adelia (Brower) Raab. LaVern married Wanda Wright on April 15, 1950 and together they traveled throughout the world while he was in the military and had stops in Nebraska, Bermuda, Maryland and Texas and their children were born during this time. Vern excelled in football and baseball for the Ionia Bulldogs and later attended Ferris University. Vern was also instrumental in organizing the Ionia Independents, a Semi-Pro football team who many citizens of Ionia County were involved in which raised money for charity.
Vern’s ten years of military service, including the Korean War, four years in the Air Police and his last six years as a Judo instructor for the combat crew and air police. He attended the famed Kodokan Judo Institute in Tokyo Japan. Later returning to Japan as a member of the United Sate Judo Team and represented the US in the Pan American Judo Championship. After retiring from the military he started the first American Judo Academy in Omaha, Nebraska and was the president of the Midwest Black Belt Association that controls the promotion and teaching of Judo in 6 states. He ended his Judo career with a 5 degree black belt. He owned his own business, Vern’s Place in Ionia and after that continued to manage other businesses in the area. He was a member of the Ionia Moose, Eagles, Past Commander of the American Legion in Bermuda which gave him a life membership, Past Seam Squirrel with the Cooties-VFW National Home and Life Member of the Elks & V.F.W. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Wanda Raab and both parents. Surviving are her children; Sharon (Craig) Pearce of Saranac and Gailene Briggs of Ionia; grandchildren, Mark (Stacey) Kamradt of Orleans and Dana Kamradt of Ionia; step grandchildren, Kristin (Jamie) Petersen, Nanci (Michael) Arnold, and Hope (Billy) Blanchard; and 11 great grandchildren.
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