Donald Edwin Ramsden Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Donald Edwin Ramsden, 89, of Rockford went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 23, 2016, surround by his loving family. Born on October 20, 1926 in Ontario, Canada, son of Charles and Sarah Ramsden. Donald left his home in Canada at the age of 14 to work on a fishing boat. He joined the Canadian Army to serve in WWII. His travels in life later took him to Detroit, MI, where he was introduced to the Lord. Donald accepted Christ as his Savior on Easter Sunday in 1954. He met the love of his life, June Bell, at Temple Baptist Church. They were married on July 9, 1956. Donald attended Baptist Bible College, and served as an assistant pastor in several churches in Illinois, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. Donald lived out the tenets of his faith on a daily basis, his greatest desire was that people would know the truth about Jesus and accept God’s great gift of salvation. He had a way of making people understand that they were important to both him and to God. Donald had an outgoing personality, was an excellent listener, and excelled at making people feel loved and treasured. He was a member of Community Bible Church for 27 years; a church planted by his sons in Rockford. Donald enjoyed his annual trips with his extended family to Canada. He was a hockey fan and never missed the Stanley Cup Finals. Survived by his wife, June; children, Pastor Stephen (Cindy) Ramsden, Pastor Timothy (Debra) Ramsden, Nanette (Thomas) Brown, Suzanne (Mark) Poffenbaugh; grandchildren, Stephen (Elizabeth) Ramsden Jr., Sarah Ramsden, Matthew Ramsden, Jesse Ramsden, Jared Ramsden, Luke Brown, Daniel Brown, Timothy (Abiah) Brown, Zachariah Brown, Samuel Poffenbaugh Micaiah Poffenbaugh, Ana Poffenbaugh, Lydia Poffenbaugh; great-grandchildren, Katherine Belle Cropper, Liam Ramsden, Imogen Ramsden; brother, Wilmer (Connie) Ramsden; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lousie (Jack) Zimmer, Betty (William) Smith, Bill (Faydene) Bell, Pat (Arnie) Todd, John (Linda) Bell, David (Robin) Bell; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters. Celebration of Life will be on April 2, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. at Rock Church, 6732 Harrison Ave. Rockford. Memorial Visitation at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Pastor John Bell officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800. Grace Funeral & Cremation Services assisted the family. Visit www.graceFH.com to share a memory or condolence visit www.graceFH.com.

Donald Edwin Ramsden

October 20, 1926 - March 23, 2016