Retired Covenant minister Ron Gelaude passed away on October 10, 2024, in Brighton, Michigan. He was 75.
Ronald Charles Gelaude was born on December 19, 1948, in Brown City, Michigan, to Robert and Edith Gelaude. Ron graduated from South Lyon High School and then served in Vietnam with the Air Force from 1968 to 1971. He worked for Memorex and Hitachi through his graduation from William Tyndale College in 1994, then he went on to earn a master’s in theological studies from Michigan Theological Seminary in 1997 and a master’s in communication studies from Eastern Michigan University in 2001. He transferred his ordination from the Evangelical Free Church to the Covenant in 2010.
Ron and Bonnie Loop married on June 8, 1974. They were married for 37 years before Bonnie passed away in June 2011. Ron married Janet (Olson) Davis, on October 4, 2014, in Brighton, Michigan.
Ron served several churches in Michigan including Connexions Covenant Church, Fruitland Evangelical Covenant Church, and Messiah Covenant Church. Additionally, he taught at Moody Theological Seminary for 23 years before his retirement.
Ron will be remembered for his compassion, his daily love letters to Jesus, his love for teaching the Word of God, his enthusiastic participation in domestic and overseas mission trips, and for being a faithful prayer warrior. Ron also loved trail running, fishing, camping ,and spending time with family and friends.
Ron was preceded in death by his first wife, Bonnie Gelaude; brothers, Bobby Hill and Michael “Spike” Gelaude; sister-in-law, Pat Hill; and parents, Robert and Edith Gelaude. He is survived by his wife, Janet Gelaude; siblings, Ken Hill, Larry Hill (Loretta), William Hill (Fran); stepchildren, Justin Davis (Aubrey), Ryan Davis (Leslie), Jordan Davis; grandchildren, Joseph, Paul, Jack, Charlotte, Ella, Kennedy, Mason, Russell; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Ron’s family and friends gathered on October 21, 2024, at Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Brighton, Michigan.
Memorial contributions may be made to LOVE Inc. or Nochild.org/kenya. You may leave a message of comfort for Ron’s family at 1-877-231-7900, or sign his guestbook at www.borekjennings.com.
Peace be to his memory.
