Beverly June Ragusky

Beverly June Ragusky (nee Welles), 91 of Florissant, MO, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 10, 2014. She closed her eyes here on earth and opened them again in the presence of Jesus! Hallelujah; for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Daniel A. Ragusky, and by two of her children, Richard A. Ragusky and Elizabeth A. Ragusky. She was born November 6, 1922, in Penfield, Illinois, to Thomas Maxwell and Madge Leona Welles. She had three sisters, Vivian Moore, Sarah Morris and Juanita Rush, all of whom preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Michael D. Ragusky, Sr., of Florissant, MO, Linda J. (Larry) Buschman, of Innsbrook, MO, and Philip J. (Molly) Ragusky, of O’Fallon, MO. Grandmother to Robert (Barbara) Shelton (D), Cynthia (Curt) Cardwell, Suellen Kirwan, Gregory (Deborah) Buschman, Dr. Jason (Brenda) Buschman, Angelic Jarvis(D), Christopher (Julie) Ragusky, Michael D. (Mary) Ragusky, Sr., Vincent Ragusky, Jayme (Joel) Durrwachter, Jennifer (Brian) Hecht, Shelby Ragusky, Carly Ragusky, and Danielle Ragusky. Great Grandmother to Eric Shelton, Amanda (Chris) Alexander, David Shelton, Elizabeth Noonan, Gabrielle (Ali) Jafaran, Blake Cardwell, Andrea Kirwan, Ross (Courtney) Kirwan, Diana Buschman, Luke (Caitlin) Buschman, Megan Buschman, Tiffany Buschman, Sophia Buschman, Noah Hecht, Lydia Hecht, Ben Ragusky, and Violet Ragusky. Great Great Grandmother to Chase Noonan, Kiersten Noonan, Ava Alexander, Amelia Kirwan, Jacob Buschman, and Harrison Alexander. Beloved aunt, cousin and friend. She loved her family and her greatest joy was celebrating any occasion together with great food, fellowship and lots of laughter. She was a member of Parker Road Baptist Church in Florissant, MO. As her heart was in missions and soul winning, June supported many Christian ministries which included, Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, Rev. and Mrs. Ed Vallowe, Global Baptist Mission, Southwest Radio Church Ministry, and Missouri Baptist Children’s Home. Born to Thomas Maxwell Welles & Madge Leona Lynn Welles on November 6 1922, in Penfield, IL/Champaign County Illinois. We call her “Mom”, Richard (D), Michael, Elizabeth (D), Linda, and Philip all called her “MOM”. Mom was brought up on a family farm in the Penfield, IL area. The “Welles Farm” as it was always referred to. Her father Thomas Maxwell “MAX” Welles died when Mom was about 2-1/2 years old. Her mother Madge Leona Lynn Welles remarried to keep the family going and to survive. These were “Depression” times and it was a very difficult time for everyone. As a young girl she moved to various locations to work in the homes of people they knew, and didn’t know, as a housekeeper, cook, cleaning lady, nanny, or whatever it took to earn her room and board. She received her High School diploma from Monett High School, Monett, MO. Mom met Dad, Daniel Andrew Ragusky, in Champaign, Illinois after the war, roughly 1945. Dad was discharged from the US Army Air Corps at Chanute Field in Rantoul, IL, about 20 miles north of Champaign, IL. Mom and Dad fell in love and married on December 15, 1945, and started the family that comes before you today to celebrate her life. Mom came to know the LORD Jesus Christ as her personal Savior around the age of 18. She once told me that when she started having children the most important thing to her, concerning her children, was that they too would come to know the LORD Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Her life was centered on the LORD, raising Christian children, making sure we all got to church on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. She taught Sunday School Class, sang in the church choir, and worked as a cook in the church kitchen making the traditional Baptist Wednesday Night Supper. Her life was centered on the LORD. When her health started failing, and she spent time in the hospital and rehab facilities, witnessing for the LORD was always on her mind and of the highest priority for her. A true testimony of Mom’s witness came right before her passing. While in her hospital room many of the faithful, dedicated nursing staff came by to say “goodbye” to “Bev”. Several commented on how “…Bev always had her Bible out reading it or reminding us to read our Bible and pray more…”, or telling them of the Love of God, and the Salvation that HE provides us through HIS Son Jesus Christ. She commented to me that she always wondered why the LORD kept her around, and then she’d say; “…I guess HE’s got someone else for me to be a witness to!” June would want you to know foremost that she believed in salvation by faith through Jesus Christ the Lord. She has been an amazing example of faithfulness through her witness of prayer, Bible teaching and soul winning and has shared her faith and her love of her Lord with everyone she met. We are so saddened she won’t be here with us, but we rejoice greatly that we know where she is, and that we will be reunited with her again someday. Memorial Donations or Contributions may be made to: Missouri Baptist Children's Home 11300 St Charles Rock Rd, Bridgeton, MO 63044 (314) 739-6811 In Memory of Beverly June Ragusky

Beverly June Ragusky

November 6, 1922 - September 10, 2014