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Raymond A. Van Giesen The Rev. Raymond A. Van Giesen (85) passed away on March 10, in Springfield, MO. He was a retired minister of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference of the United Methodist Church. Ray was born on July 5, 1917 in Kane, Pennsylvania, the son of Melvin and Alice (Ruth) Van Giesen. On June 14, 1941, he and his college sweetheart, Esther Schultz, were married following their graduation from Olivet Nazarene College. At that time a Nazarene pastor, Ray's first appointment was to start a church in Tama, Iowa. He later served another Nazarene church in Davenport, IA. Joining the Methodist Church in 1952, Rev. Van Giesen received appointments in the Missouri cities of Westboro, Paris, Hannibal, West Plains, Normandy (St. Louis County) and then in Lawrenceville, IL. He retired in 1981, but continued to serve several churches in retirement, most notably Gravois Mills. In all, he had over 50 years of preaching the Gospel. Surviving Rev. Van Giesen are five sons, a daughter and their families: Rev. David Van Giesen and his wife, Priscilla, Springfield, MO; Rev. Duane Van Giesen and his wife, Lana, Dallas, TX; Paul Van Giesen and his wife, Angela, Marshfield, MO; Mark Van Giesen, Washington, IN; Connie Bruner and her husband, Robert, Springfield, MO; and Rev. Richard Van Giesen and his wife, Barbara, Mount Vernon, IL. Also surviving is a granddaughter, Nicole McVety and her husband, Drew, Brooklyn, NY; a grandson, Robert Van Giesen and his wife, Jennifer, Brooklyn, NY; a great-granddaughter, Ashton Rone, Dallas, TX; and a special nephew, Dr. Donald Powers, Las Vegas, NV. Preceding Rev. Van Giesen in death were his parents; two brothers and a sister; a granddaughter, Lori Thompson; and his beloved wife of over 60 years, Esther. A memorial service celebrating the life and ministry of Raymond A. Van Giesen will be held on Thursday, March 13, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Marionville, MO. The family will greet friends at 10 a.m. at the church. <A HREF="http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/obituaries/index.html">More obituaries»</A> <A HREF="http://news.ozarksnow.com/emailstory.html?Paid%20Obituary#http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/obituaries/vangiesen0311.html">Email this story</A> <A HREF="http://service.ozarksnow.com/subscribers/subscriptions.html">Subscribe now</A> <A HREF="http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/">HOME</A> • <A HREF="http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/news">NEWS</A> • <A HREF="http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/sports">SPORTS</A> • <A HREF="http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/business">BUSINESS</A> • <A HREF="http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/opinions">OPINION</A> • <A HREF="http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/record">RECORD</A> • <A HREF="http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/life-times">LIFE</A> • <A HREF="http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/accuweather/index.html">WEATHER</A> • <A HREF="http://service.ozarksnow.com/subscribe.html"> SUBSCRIBE</A> • <A HREF="http://service.ozarksnow.com/">CUSTOMER SERVICE</A> Copyright © 2002, The Springfield News-Leader, a <A HREF="http://www.gannett.com/"> Gannett</A> company. 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