CHAKERES Dr. Michael J. Chakeres, respected Optometrist, past Ohio Department Commander of the American Legion, and past President of the Veterans Service Commission of Madison County, Ohio, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2016. A loving, compassionate, and a truly extraordinary individual recognized for his generosity, kindness, warmth and humor, he will be missed by all who have known him. Pre-deceased by his cherished wife of 57 years, Willie Mae "Billie" Chakeres, his sisters, Mary C. Jameson and Amelia C. Ervin and his beloved niece, Renee Jameson Mooney. Mike is survived and deeply missed by his nephew, Jamie G. Jameson of Sarasota, FL (wife Trulee), two great-nieces, Michelle Brown and Nicole Copeland of Charlotte, NC and their father, William Mooney of Pinehurst, NC, sister-in-law Patricia Looney of Garden City, MI, devoted nephew Leon G. McLaughlin (wife Christine) of Columbus, OH, Lawrence E. and Kay Massman Helman of Columbus, Ohio and numerous nieces and nephews. Mike was born in Columbus, Ohio on June 9, 1922 to James Chakeres of Tripolis, Greece and Hariklia Kalimanis of Athens, Greece. After growing up in Columbus, where he graduated from Central High School in 1940, Mike joined the U.S. Navy at the beginning of WW II, volunteering for the Seabees, an elite underwater demolition unit that later became known as the Frogmen. But instead of going overseas, he was selected for Officer Training School and sent to Emory University, and then to the University of North Carolina where he studied pre-med. He then attended the Northern Illinois College of Optometry. After receiving his O.D. Degree, he returned to Columbus, deciding to start his career in nearby London, Ohio where he lived and practiced optometry for over 35 years. In addition to his wife, his community and the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Columbus, Mike devoted himself to public service and veterans' causes on local, state and national levels, earning many awards and accolades over the years. He was a member of the Madison County Hospital Foundation Board, the London Rotary Club, the London Lions Club, and served as a 50 year volunteer at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center. Mike was extremely proud to have been inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 2004. A special thank you to Josie Montgomery and the caring staff of Willow Brook Christian Home. Family will receive friends Monday, March 21, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Eberle-Fisher Funeral Home 103 N. Main St., London, Ohio. Services will be held Tuesday, March 22 at 10:00 a.m.at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 555 N. High St., Columbus, Ohio, Fr. Demetrios Gardikes officiating. Internment at Kirkwood Cemetery, London, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Columbus. Online condolences for the family to www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com. Funeral Date: 2016-03-22