Dr. Gerald J. MiedemaDr. Gerald J. Miedema, age 85, of Streetsboro passed away October 29, 2016. Jerry was born on July 6, 1931 in Grand Rapids Michigan to the late William Miedema and Sadie Pratt. He was preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Hausser and his brother, William Harold Pratt. He is survived by his daughter, Judy Miedema of Mantua, Ohio; and by his sons, Steve (Delma) of Huron, Ohio and Jim (Sharon) of Rochester Hills, Michigan. Jerry's memory is also cherished by his sister, Sherry (Curt) Fairbairn; his brothers, William (Marsha) Pratt, Ronald (Hope) Pratt, Steven (Edith) Pratt; and by his beloved grandchildren, Dennis, Jesse, Piper and Matthew. A graduate from Godwin High School in Grand Rapids, Mich. in 1948, Jerry attended and graduated from the Michigan State University, in Lansing, Michigan. He graduated from the Michigan State School of Veterinary Medicine in 1954. Dr. Miedema practiced veterinary medicine, as owner of Western Reserve Pet Care Center, in Streetsboro for the later decades of his career, retiring in summer of 2012. Additionally, he owned Driftwood Animal Hospital in Bainbridge, Ohio and Twin Oaks Boarding Kennel in Russell, Ohio. Dr. Miedema began his Ohio veterinary career at Jensen's Green Road Animal Hospital, in South Euclid, Ohio, eventually purchasing the hospital after becoming Director of the practice. Dr. Miedema also proudly served his country in the U.S. Army shortly after the Korean War. Enlisting in Grand Rapids, Michigan in December 1954, he was honorably discharged from the San Francisco, California Presidio Army base in January 1957 as a First Lieutenant. He was an ongoing consultant to the Journal of Veterinary Economics and was a panel judge at the annual veterinary hospital of the year competition presented by Veterinary Economics. He was past president of the Cleveland Veterinary Academy. Jerry also served the citizens of Streetsboro by sitting on the Streetsboro Planning Commission. Some of his favorite activities included playing tennis, bicycling, fishing, hunting, kayaking, camping, sailing, piloting small airplanes, and traveling to visit family and friends. Calling hours will be Wednesday, November 9, 2016 from noon to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Shorts-Spicer-Crislip Funeral Home at 9781 Page Road, Streetsboro, Ohio 44241. Services will later be held Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 11 a.m. Tribute donations may be made to Portage Animal Protective League, P.O. BOX 927, Ravenna, OH 44266 or www.portageapl.org. Condolences and memories of Dr. Miedema may be shared with the family at www.sscfuneralhomes.com.