Reverend Ronald Allen Rasmus, a man of unwavering faith, profound love for his family, and a lifelong commitment to service, entered the kingdom of heaven on Wednesday, June 14. Born on October 22, 1944, in Pekin, Illinois, Ronald led a remarkable life that touched the hearts of many.

Ronald was the beloved son of Julius and Martha Rasmus, both of whom preceded him in death. Growing up on a dairy farm east of Paxton, Illinois, he learned the values of hard work, dedication, and compassion from his parents. They instilled in him a strong foundation of faith that would guide him throughout his life.

In a love story that spanned a lifetime, Ronald married his childhood sweetheart, Jean, less than a year after attending their high school prom together. She survives. For 59 years, they built a strong and loving partnership, raising two wonderful children, and creating a beautiful life together in Paxton, Illinois; later retiring to West Lafayette to watch grandchildren grow up in west central Indiana. Their love was a shining example to all who knew them.

Ronald’s legacy lives on through his children, Joel (Nancy) Rasmus of West Lafayette, Indiana, and Leah (Douglas) Ehmen of Cloverdale, Indiana. He was a loving and devoted grandfather to Trevor Ehmen, Taylor (Josh) King, Noah Ehmen, Brett (Clare) Rasmus, Hannah (Derek) Richards, Cameron (Abbey) Rasmus, and his great-grandchild, Luka Richards. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Susan Rasmus of Elizabeth, Kentucky, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Family was the cornerstone of his life, and he prioritized spending time with his loved ones. He enjoyed sharing his skills and interests with his grandchildren, but equally enjoyed trying to learn about their passions.

Throughout his life, Ronald exemplified a spirit of service. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era and supported military organizations and charities his entire life. He dedicated over 20 years of his life to law enforcement, working with various departments including the Bourbonnais (IL) Police Department, Kankakee County (IL) Sheriff’s Department, and the Paxton (IL) Police Department. He sought assignments that allowed him to protect the vulnerable, serving for many years as a juvenile officer and a child abuse investigator.

Rev. Rasmus was deeply committed to his faith and spent over 25 years as an ordained Lutheran Minister, ministering to several congregations in Illinois and Indiana. Much of his ministry was spent building new congregations and serving as long-term temporary minister to congregations in transition. He particularly loved Baptisms and teaching Catechism to young Christians. Some of his greatest joys came from officiating the wedding ceremonies of four of his grandchildren; the most recent just two weeks before his passing, and the baptism of his great grandson. After retiring from full-time ministry, he returned to law enforcement, serving for many years as chaplain to multiple law enforcement departments, including the Indiana State Police, the Illinois State Police, the Tippecanoe County (IN) Sheriff’s Department and the Ford County (IL) Sheriff’s Department. He taught part-time for twenty years at the Illinois Police Academy and at the Illinois Corrections Department academy.

His dedication to service extended beyond his professional life and he actively participated in many organizations, including the Masonic Lodge, the Societas Trinitatis Sanctae (Society of the Holy Trinity), the Priory is Saint Mother Theodore Guerin of the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, the Paxton Service Club, the Rotary Club of Paxton, and was a past commander for the American Legion Prairie Post 150. He led the resurgence of the Boy Scouts of America in Paxton in the 1980s and served as Scout Master for many years.

Rev. Rasmus was an avid reader and had a thirst for life-long learning. He earned all his college degrees while simultaneously working full time and raising a family. He held an associated degree from Kankakee Community College, a bachelor’s from Eastern Illinois University, two Master degrees from EIU, and a theology graduate degree from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg.

Pastor Ron’s talents extended far and wide. An accomplished woodworker, he crafted numerous pieces that have become cherished family heirlooms. His creative spirit and skilled hands brought beauty and joy to those around him. Music was another passion of Ronald’s, and he played the guitar as a member of a rock band in the 1960s, a folk/singer-songwriter band in the 1970s and performed in a modern gospel quartet from the 1980s through the early 2000s.

Ronald had a sense for adventure. In his 40s he developed a passion for martial arts and advanced in skill to attain a 2nd degree Black Belt in Insshin-ryu Karate. As one of the first 700 PADI Scuba instructors in the world, he embraced the sport in the 1960s attaining the certification as a Master Scuba Instructor and founded the Kankakee Underwater Recovery Team. He joked that most divers went to tropical waters with beautiful coral, but he spent all his time diving in stagnant lakes, dangerous fast-moving rivers, and under the ice. His selflessness and bravery in saving lives and recovering drowning victims earned him professional recognition and respect.

Ronald was an expert marksman and shared his expertise teaching pistol marksmanship at several law enforcement agencies; but he drew more joy from teaching all his grandchildren proper shooting safety and techniques. He also volunteered with the Purdue Rifle and Pistol Club for several years and enjoyed accompanying them to the National Championships.

Redeemer Lutheran Church, West Lafayette, IN, on Monday June 19, will host an open visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m., and the funeral at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern).  Burial will be in Glen Cemetery, Paxton, IL on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. (Central).

Friends wishing to make a memorial may donate to Redeemer Lutheran Church, First Lutheran Church, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.