Victor Van Ravenswaay

Victor Van Ravenswaay went to be with the Lord Jesus Christ, his Savior, on Wednesday, January 15, 2020. He was born, one of triplets, on May 1, 1942 to John and Agnes Van Ravenswaay in Kalamazoo, MI. Surviving are his spouse, Georgann Pugh Van Ravenswaay and his 5 children: Paul (Caroline) Van Ravenswaay of Grand Rapids, Jon (Andrea) Van Ravenswaay of Anchorage, AK, Tim (Gail) Van Ravenswaay of Rockton, IL, Esther Akehi of Grand Rapids MI, Rachael (Jake) Pilkinton of Jenison, MI and 11 grandchildren. Surviving siblings: Fred (Jacksonville, FL), Anita Shoemaker (Kalamazoo, MI), John (Kalamazoo, Mi), Triplet brother Vince (West Point, AR) and sister Vicki Brown (Palm Coast, FL), Bob (Grand Rapids, MI), Alida DeCamp (Fort Mill, SC), Tim (Palm Coast, FL), August (29 Palms, CA), and Jim (Sturgis, MI). Preceding him in death are his parents, John and Agnes Van Ravenswaay and two brothers, Gerritt and Henry. Victor enjoyed telling people that his parents had 5 children, then the triplets were born ("of which I am one") and then 5 more children-he was in the center of the triplets and the center of the family! He knew early in life that he wanted to be a missionary to Alaska. He and his wife served with Arctic Missions, which later became InterAct Ministries, for 30 years, 24 of which were in Alaska. He is remembered for his passion for the Alaskan native people (that they would come to know and to love Jesus), his hospitality, his enjoyment of singing and gardening, his work ethic and the instilling of that into his children, his adventurous spirit, and his purpose to do God's will. Memorial service will be held at Church of the Open Door 1730 Burlingame Ave. SW, Wyoming, MI 49509 Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 11am.