Dr. Ronald H. Elie

Dr. Ronald Herbert Elie, 75, finished his race on July 27, 2021 surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses that included his family, friends, and immersed with blessings and prayers from people he impacted locally and all over the world.   

Ronald Elie began his race on March 4, 1946 with his identical twin brother Dr. Donald Elie in the town of Ypsilanti, Michigan. He grew up in a humble home out on the farm with his father, mother, a sister, 3 brothers, and his loyal dog Scout.

Ronald grew up loving the great outdoors and this translated to his obsession with the weather and unmeasurable passion for his garden and his ability to grow the biggest melon, peppers, and squash you have ever seen. 

Ronald transformed from an unassuming and quiet science teacher to an outspoken warrior for the Gospel when he met the love of his life Darylene Joy Kuhn who as a young nurse stood and shared her testimony of missions at a small church he was visiting in Buckley, Michigan in 1970. On June 3, 1972 he married Darylene and they started an incredible 49 year journey of marriage and ministry together. 

Ronald worked hard to not only provide for his family’s every need but also to show Christ the best way he could to his children and the scores of people God brought into his life to serve. Even though the road was not usually easy, he never failed to remind anyone around that “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” And just in case you did not understand the first time, he would proudly repeat it in fluent French. 

Ronald’s 50 years of ministry took him all over the world not only in America but also to Haiti and South Korea. He had presently served as Visitation Pastor and Adult Bible Teacher for the Sidney First Church of the Nazarene. Although his race took him from place to place, home to home, and church to church, he reminded his family that this place is not our permanent home. Now Ronald Herbert Elie is finally home.  

He has passed the baton to his children including:  SueLange Elie Myers (Paul) of Troy, OH, Bethany Elie Kirkpatrick (Rusty) of Sidney, OH, Luke Elie of South Korea via Huntington Beach, CA and Faith Elie Dorenfeld (Todd) of Detroit, MI.  His grandchildren include:  Jewel Myers, Josiah Myers, Joy Myers, Jared Myers and Ezra Kirkpatrick. 

Ronald is preceded in death by his parents Nick and I Kathryn Richards Elie, his sister Lynette Kidder, and twin brother Donald Elie.

A celebration of life for Dr. Ronald H. Elie will be held at Sidney First Church of the Nazarene in Sidney, Ohio Saturday July 31, 2021. Viewing will be 2-4 PM followed by a memorial service officiated by pastor Chad Wilson of Sidney, Ohio and Pastor Gerald Rodgers, lifetime pastoral friend from Virginia.

The graveside ceremony will be held at Union Udell Cemetery in Ypsilanti, Michigan at 11 AM, August 2, 2021.  

Donations and memorials in honor of Dr. Ronald Elie will support the global work of Coaches Team International. 

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