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BORN
1938
DIED
2017
Ralph Hill Obituary
CANTON - Rev. Ralph A. Hill, 79, of Canton passed away Saturday, September 30, 2017, at his residence.
He was born on April 15, 1938, in Seymour, Indiana, the son of Clyde and Irma Hill. He married Charity (Rodefer) Hill on August 11, 1962, in Malden, Illinois. They were married for 50 years. She preceded him in death in 2013.
They raised two children, David Hill and Jolie (Mike) Shaw, both of Canton, and both survive, along with four grandchildren, Grant (Chelsea) Shaw, April (Steven) Snider, Ethan Shaw and Dennis Ledbetter; one brother, Bob (Janet) Hill of Columbus, Indiana; and two sisters, Connie (Jude) Richardson of Cogan Station, Pennsylvania, and LuAnn (Gordon) Barker of Edinburg, Indiana.
Preceding Ralph in death were his parents and two brothers, Scott and Doug Hill.
Ralph graduated from Olivet Nazarene University and The Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He worked in pastoral ministry for the Church of The Nazarene for 35 years, with over 13 years being in Canton. He was also a Chaplin at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria for 10 years, retiring in 2010. Ralph loved people and his minister's heart found ways to minister and care for family and friends right up to his eternal homecoming. He knew no strangers and touched many lives.
He loved and was very proud of his family and cherished time spent with them. He also loved fishing and going to Little Giant football games. He will be greatly missed by all of those who knew and loved him. He was a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, pastor and friend.
Ralph was a member of the First Church of the Nazarene in Canton, where a funeral service will be held on Friday, October 6, 2017, at 11 a.m. The Reverend Dennis Owens will officiate. Visitation will be held on Thursday October 5, 2017, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton, and again on Friday morning from 10 a.m. until time of the service at his church. Burial will be held at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Canton.
Memorials may be made out to his church or the Alzheimer's Association.
To leave online condolences or to view Ralph's video tribute, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
October 6, 2017
David and Jolie and families: My prayers are with all of you as you go through this time of loss and bereavement. I worked with your dad at St. Francis until he retired and as I told you David when you called here to tell us of his death - he was the kindest, happiest and most inspiring chaplain. He loved to talk about the Lord and share his love for him. I know you will miss him terribly. Knowing he is eternally with his Lord and your mom will give you much peace in time. I am sorry I could not come to the funeral. We only had a couple of us working today so I send my thoughts and prayers to you. Teresa Heinz, Chaplain, OSF St. Francis Medical Center
Esther Stutzman
October 6, 2017
Dear David & Jolie and family,
I was saddened to hear of the loss of your father when it came over our church prayer line. Your father and mother were such a blessing to Shipshewana Nazarene Church! Both were such positive Christian leaders. Their love for the Lord was apparent in the lives they lived. I happened to be cleaning this morning and ran across a July 1994 Church Newsletter. The verse your father used in his From the Pastor's Desk letter was "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31 NIV Your mother's "From the Parsonage Window" letter started with the word relinquish and it's definition. As I sat down to write this I noticed that in your time zone the visitation is in process and I lift you in prayer. May your reflections on what has gone before encourage you to press toward the goal and may you find rest and peace in the Lord. God bless you all!
October 4, 2017
I can say not only was Ralph a co-worker but he was a spiritual accountability brother in Christ! I am so sad ...but I now he is with the Lord and there is no more sadness! I loved Ralph so very much! He was such a good adviser and taught me and my husband Todd so much about Christ! I still quote him and the things he would tell me when I was getting off track! He was a beautiful man who loved his Lord and family very much! He was an awesome asset to OSF- it was never the same after he left!
Please know I am very sorry for the Hill family loss... I know he is resting in Gods arms!
Joy Muir
Casey Phelps
October 4, 2017
I too remember him at OSF St. Francis. Not only did he care, support and help the patients and their families...he did the same for the staff. Pastor Hill was well respected and liked by all who met him.
Rest in Peace.
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Barb Sibila
October 4, 2017
I remember him when he was Chaplin at St. Francis. He was such a kind and gentle man. He was so go with the families who were going through difficult times.
Holly Schurter
October 4, 2017
Pastor Hill was so kind to our family when our dad was in the hospital. He offered comfort, encouragement, and smiles at a time when we were short of all those things. We thank and praise God for his ministry.
Angie Brooks
October 2, 2017
Dave, Jolie and family...
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. Your father was an amazing man! He'll be missed by so many!
Willis Young
October 2, 2017
Thank you Pastor Hill for your many years of service! You were a big part of getting my family to church and keeping us going! You had a great impact on my life, and you will never be forgotten! We will see you again someday, Praise God! Well done! Now all Is well with your Soul!!
Larry Mahnesmith
October 2, 2017
We have the assurance Pastor hill is reaping the rewards of heaven for being a faithful servant of Christ. May God give you strength and peace beyond understanding at this most difficult time. God bless you and thank you for sharing him with us as our teacher, comforter and counselor.
~Words of comfort
October 1, 2017
Sorry for the loss of your love one, may you find comfort in knowing that those who have passed on in death God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes. Psalms 116:15.
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1601 East Chestnut St, Canton, IL 61520
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