Ribbens, William DeWitt

Rev. William Dewitt Ribbens, 84, of Blacksburg, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at Montgomery Regional Hospital. He was born in Sheboygan, Wis. on December 26, 1921 to the late Theunis and Gertrude DeWitt Ribbens.

He was a veteran of World War II having served in the 95th Infantry Division in Europe and served as the Chaplain of the 95th Division Association reunions. During over 40 years as a pastor, he served 24 churches. After moving to Warm Hearth Village in Blacksburg in 1997, he served on the Warm Hearth Board.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Clarice N. Ribbens of Blacksburg; three daughters and sons-in-law, Marjorie and Jim Gray of Greenbelt, Md., Nancy and Marvin Jager of Washington, N.H., Joyce and David Campbell of Dalaba, Guinea, Africa; two sons and daughters-in-law, William G. and Martha Ribbens of Belding, Mich., Cal and Kathy Ribbens of Blacksburg; sisters and brothers-in-law, Anita Bratt of Grand Rapids, Mich., Fran and Edward Van Baak of Grand Rapids, Marge Cramer of Kalamazoo, Mich., Char and Adrian Kaashoek of Grandville, Mich.; a brother, Ted Ribbens of Sioux Center, Iowa.; ten grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, February 27, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Christopher Hutchinson officiating. Interment will be in the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, Pa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Reformed World Missions (for Campbells, Guinea, Africa), 2850 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49502; or to International Theological Education Ministries, Inc. (for Evangelical Reformed Seminary, Odessa, Ukraine), P. O. Box 31456, St. Louis, Mo. 63131 . The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Dr., Blacksburg