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Ralph Vander Werf, 87, of Cassopolis, passed from this life to spend eternity with Jesus Saturday, August 24, 2024.

Ralph will be greatly missed by family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Mary Jane (Crowell) Vander Werf; their five children and spouses; thirty-six grandchildren; and seventy-four great grandchildren.

Ralph desires you to know that he now resides where he has longed to go.

He is in Heaven at the feet of Jesus Christ. He accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation at the age of 10 when he came to understand the following message found in the book of Romans in the Bible: We are all sinners by nature and by choice.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

We deserve death but can receive eternal life as a free gift.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

God demonstrated His love for us, His enemies. Romans 5:8 “But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

We must trust and surrender to Jesus as Lord. Romans 10:9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

If you acknowledge your need and would like to accept this gift, you can from your heart pray this prayer: “Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I know my sin deserves to be punished. I believe Christ is the Son of God, who died for me and rose from the grave. I want to turn from my sin and trust Jesus Christ alone as my Savior. Thank you for the forgiveness and everlasting life I can now have through faith in Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Family and friends will gather from 10:00 a.m. until time of memorial service at 12:00 noon, Friday, August 30, 2024, in Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, 202 North Broadway Street, Cassopolis.

Mr. Vander Werf has been laid to rest in a private service in Reames and Norton Cemetery, Cassopolis.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.