Meri Lynn (Galonska) Raterink

Meri Lynn Raterink, 58 of Biloxi, passed away October 15, 2022 in the Necaise community of Perkinston. She was born May 11, 1964 in Saginaw, MI., the daughter and youngest of two children to David Paul and Patricia (Beaton) Galonska. Meri grew up in Saginaw, spending most of her childhood with her grandparents, Harold and Ruth Blehm. She was rambunctious and outgoing, always into something. Being a tomboy of sorts, Meri preferred sports and outdoor things rather than the girly, indoor things. She attended Saginaw schools, graduating from Swan Valley HS with the Class of 1982. From there, she took some business classes at Delta College and worked a few jobs in and around the Grand Rapids area for a while. She had an entrepreneurial spirit and decided to go into the pizza business. She owned and operated Palos Pizzeria in Grand Rapids for a few years. Never one to be tied down for long, Meri sold Palos and decided to head South. She travelled around quite a bit, spending time along the Gulf Coast in Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana. She finally settled in the Biloxi area, spending the last several years here in South MS. Meri is remembered as a free-spirited, very self-reliant woman. She followed her own course through the years, doing whatever she needed to along the way. Disaster recovery work after storms, including Katrina and others, or whatever else she felt like doing. Meri was definitely outgoing, the type to make friends easily which served her well. She made lots of them wherever she was at the time. She will be forever missed by all whose lifer she touched. Meri was preceded in death by her father, David Galonska, her uncle Terry Henkel, and her grandparents, Harold and Ruth Blehm. Left to cherish her memories are: her brother David (Cindi) Galonska; their mother Patricia McCloy, aunt Carol Henkel, and cousin Terry Henkel, all of Saginaw, with aunt Joan (Jerry) Langenegger and cousin Reneee Hussar, both of CA. Meri leaves a host of extended family, and no telling how many friends from Michigan to the Gulf Coast through the years, all of whom will miss her dearly. Her final wishes were to be cremated, which her family is honoring, and afterward she will be returned to Michigan for interment next to family. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Raterink family in their time of need, and asks that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers over the coming days.