Ronald W. Seitz

Reverend Ronald W. Seitz was called to his heavenly home on January 22, 2021 at 11:11 a.m. surrounded by his family. Ronald was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 20, 1933. He spent his childhood growing up in Baltimore and Norlina, North Carolina. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955; stationed at Ft. Carson, Colorado, 61st Infantry Regiment, Second Lieutenant, XI USAC, and was honorably discharged with a National Defense Service Medal. "Ha-hoo!" Ronald was accepted at the Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois. Upon completion of his seminary studies, Pastor Seitz attended Army Chaplain School at Ft. Slocum, N.Y. and Valparaiso University, Indiana, where he majored in religion with a minor in sociology. Ronald was ordained as a Lutheran pastor in 1962 in front of his home congregation in Ridgeway, North Carolina. He went on to serve congregations in Kinnear-Dubois, Wyoming; Ellendale, North Dakota; South Bend/Mishawaka, Indiana; and Shreveport, Louisiana. Ronald is survived by his good friend and mother of his children, Olga A. Seitz; four children, Linden (Stacey) Seitz of Englewood, Florida, Jane (Brian) Boyle of Jackson, Michigan, Timothy Seitz of South Bend, Indiana and Sarabeth (Steve) Corbett of Westfield, Indiana; grandchildren, Joshua (Nicole), Brianna and Maria Boyle; Cameron and Clayton Seitz; Timothy (Jessica), Patrick, and Samuel Seitz; Madeline and Abigail Blish; great-grandchildren, Alyson, Elijah, Ocean, Noah, and Kash Boyle; sister, Cheryl LaMar Kilian-Hoffer (Thomas) of El Paso, Texas; niece, Anna "Anya" LaMar Hoffer and nephew, Alexander "Alex" Charles Hoffer. His favorite furry friends include Rose, Louie, Stella, and Wilfred. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian Grace Bowman Kilian; father, Wilmer Seitz; and infant son, Douglas Ronald Seitz. Ronald had a heart for evangelism and telling people about Jesus. His approach was simplistic, yet profound. One-on-one conversations about salvation, centered on the Lord's saving grace, touched the hearts of many. He was also passionate about prison ministry, led monthly church services at Portage Manor in South Bend for the elderly and visited shut-ins. Ronald enjoyed coaching Southeast Little League baseball and was an avid New York Yankees fan. During his golden years, he loved visiting family and friends, taking daily neighborhood walks (rain or shine), reading the Holy Bible and actively participating in enrichment activities and making new friends at the Crouch Senior Center in Jackson, Michigan. He attended Redeemer Lutheran Church, Jackson, Michigan and enjoyed volunteering for VBS and community outreach. Special thanks to Dr. Shahzad Shaikh, M.D., Keith, RN, and the entire staff at the Jackson VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Jackson, Michigan. We truly appreciate your commitment to serving the veterans in the area. Ronald benefited from the expert care, support, and your professional guidance...Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. If you would like to make a donation in Ronald's honor please feel free to contribute to either the Crouch Senior Center to support senior activities at Crouch Senior Center, Department on Aging, 1715 Lansing Avenue, Jackson, Michigan, 49202 or Redeemer Lutheran Church for community outreach or Vacation Bible School at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3637 Spring Arbor Road, Jackson, MI 49201 or online at redeemerjackson.org. A celebration of life and joyful remembrance will be held at a later date to honor him.

Ronald W. Seitz

November 20, 1933 - January 22, 2021