Rev. Dr. Donald R Ridgeway

PEKIN ~ Rev. Dr. Donald Ralph “Don” Ridgeway, 85, of Pekin, passed away and went home to be with his Lord and Savior at 6:48 a.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at Reflections Memory Care of Pekin. He was surrounded by his family.

Born November 21, 1931 in Logan County, Nebraska to Samuel O. and Violet C. (Beatty) Ridgeway, he married Anna Faye Wells on September 12, 1952 in Knoxville, Tennessee. She died February 14, 2015 in Pekin. He also was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gordon Ridgeway and Beverly Ridgeway and one sister, Elnora Edwards.

Surviving are one son, Scott L. Ridgeway of Peoria; one daughter, Stephani A. (Skip) Penning of Pekin; three grandchildren, Amanda L. (Donnie) Hidden, Colton J. Penning, both of Pekin and Andrew S. Ridgeway of Arlington, Virginia and one great-granddaughter, Colette Hidden. He also leaves a daughter-in-law, Nancy Ridgeway of Pekin and numerous nieces and nephews.

Raised in Thayer, Missouri, he was a 1950 graduate of Thayer High School. He graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tennessee. He then earned his Master of Ministry Degree in 1960 from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis and a Master of Arts Degree from Butler University in Indianapolis in 1961. He furthered his education and earned his Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago in 1985.

Don was the longtime pastor of First Christian Church in Pekin, serving from June of 1968 until retiring from fulltime ministry in 1994. In retirement he had interim pastorates in Brimfield and Wyoming. He previously had pastored and served Crab Orchard Christian Church in Crab Orchard, Kentucky from 1954 to 1956, Jonathan Creek Christian Church in Sullivan from 1956 to 1959, First Christian Church in Palestine from 1959 to 1964 and First Christian Church in Mooresville, Indiana from 1964 to 1968.

Don loved being outdoors and especially fishing. He also enjoyed swimming, golfing and taking long leisurely walks. Don will be remembered for living his faith and being devoted to his wife and family.

He was a member of First Christian Church in Pekin.

His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 31, 2016 at First Christian Church in Pekin. Pastor Hank Anderson will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, 1201 Chestnut Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com