Clifford Ray Lones
<p>Lones, Mr.</p><p>Clifford Ray</p><p>Muskegon</p><p><br></p><p>Clifford Ray Lones, 94, of Muskegon, was welcomed into the arms of his Savior on March 25, 2024.</p><p>Clifford was born November 17th, 1929, in Wilmington, Ohio to Ralph Wick and Minnie Ethel (Hodge) Lones. His father was a tenet farmer and Clifford was the fourth of five children. Clifford was the first in his family to attend college, where he met his wife of 69 years, Janet I. Lones. They were married on January 17th, 1954. The Lord blessed Clifford and Janet with 6 children. </p><p><br></p><p>Clifford came to know Christ as his personal Savior as a teenager through the influence of his best friend, Stanley Shroyer. After High School, Clifford became a draftsman but desiring to study the Bible, Clifford went on to enroll at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. While at Moody, he would preach on the street corners in Chicago, leading gospel teams always making sure that Janet was chosen to be part of his team.</p><p><br></p><p>Clifford had a love for learning and the Word of God. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute, obtained a B.A. from Cedarville University and his Master of Ministry degree from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (Cornerstone University). Around the dinner table, Cliff would often ask provocative questions, generating lively discussions to teach his children how to think through various issues.</p><p><br></p><p>Throughout his 40+ years of full-time ministry, Clifford pastored 6 churches in Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, and Delaware. The Lord used his ministry to grow the local church, planting of a church, and leading many individuals to Christ. It is notable that several of the young people in his churches went on to become missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders. With his drafting background, Cliff built 9 homes, a church, a Christian school and facilitated the remodeling of several churches. </p><p><br></p><p>Even though dementia clouded his mind, Clifford's sweet gentle spirit and quick wit was never diminished. He will be sorely missed but his legacy will live on in the many lives he touched throughout his life and ministry.</p><p><br></p><p>SURVIVORS</p><p>Children: Deborah Gowell, Stephen (Barb) Lones, Mark Lones, Timothy (Tina) Lones, and Daniel (Dee) Lones; grandchildren: Cameron (Shaina), Stephen, Malachi (Melissa), Moriah (Steffany), Meredith, Candace (Brent), Heidi (Justin), Zachary, Kyla (Jeff), Devan (Austin), Jordan (Cierra), Devon (Danielle); 28 great-grandchildren; and former son-in-law, Kenneth Gowell.Clifford was preceded in death by his wife, Janet; daughter, Rachel; grandchildren: Amber, Isaac, and Dustin; daughter-in-law, Abby; his parents; and 4 siblings. </p><p><br></p><p>FUNERAL SERVICE </p><p>11:00 am on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Trinity Baptist Church in Muskegon with Pastor Scott Church officiating. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the start of the service. Interment will be in the Lones family plot next to his wife and daughter in West Virginia.</p><p><br></p>Obituary
Lones, Mr.
Clifford Ray
Muskegon
Clifford Ray Lones, 94, of Muskegon, was welcomed into the arms of his Savior on March 25, 2024.
Clifford was born November 17th, 1929, in Wilmington, Ohio to Ralph Wick and Minnie Ethel (Hodge) Lones. His father was a tenet farmer and Clifford was the fourth of five children. Clifford was the first in his family to attend college, where he met his wife of 69 years, Janet I. Lones. They were married on January 17th, 1954. The Lord blessed Clifford and Janet with 6 children.
Clifford came to know Christ as his personal Savior as a teenager through the influence of his best friend, Stanley Shroyer. After High School, Clifford became a draftsman but desiring to study the Bible, Clifford went on to enroll at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. While at Moody, he would preach on the street corners in Chicago, leading gospel teams always making sure that Janet was chosen to be part of his team.
Clifford had a love for learning and the Word of God. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute, obtained a B.A. from Cedarville University and his Master of Ministry degree from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (Cornerstone University). Around the dinner table, Cliff would often ask provocative questions, generating lively discussions to teach his children how to think through various issues.
Throughout his 40+ years of full-time ministry, Clifford pastored 6 churches in Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, and Delaware. The Lord used his ministry to grow the local church, planting of a church, and leading many individuals to Christ. It is notable that several of the young people in his churches went on to become missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders. With his drafting background, Cliff built 9 homes, a church, a Christian school and facilitated the remodeling of several churches.
Even though dementia clouded his mind, Clifford's sweet gentle spirit and quick wit was never diminished. He will be sorely missed but his legacy will live on in the many lives he touched throughout his life and ministry.
SURVIVORS
Children: Deborah Gowell, Stephen (Barb) Lones, Mark Lones, Timothy (Tina) Lones, and Daniel (Dee) Lones; grandchildren: Cameron (Shaina), Stephen, Malachi (Melissa), Moriah (Steffany), Meredith, Candace (Brent), Heidi (Justin), Zachary, Kyla (Jeff), Devan (Austin), Jordan (Cierra), Devon (Danielle); 28 great-grandchildren; and former son-in-law, Kenneth Gowell.Clifford was preceded in death by his wife, Janet; daughter, Rachel; grandchildren: Amber, Isaac, and Dustin; daughter-in-law, Abby; his parents; and 4 siblings.
FUNERAL SERVICE
11:00 am on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Trinity Baptist Church in Muskegon with Pastor Scott Church officiating. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the start of the service. Interment will be in the Lones family plot next to his wife and daughter in West Virginia.
Events
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Muskegon, MI 49444
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Muskegon, MI 49444