Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Ransom, Gordon November 4, 2008
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Nan Wheaton wheaton1624@yahoo.com October 21, 2013, 9:19 pm

Ionia Sentinel-Standard - Thurs. Nov. 6, 2008


Gordon Ransom, aged 89, of Ionia, passed away peacefully at his home Nov. 4, 
2008.

Gordon was the fourth of five children born to Oliver R. and Amanda J. (Howard) 
Ransom. He was born May 27, 1919 and christened Russell Gordon, being called 
Gordon by his mother at an early age which continued throughout his lifetime. 
Gordon was raised on a farm north of Ionia and later resided in the city. He 
attended rural schools and graduated from Ionia High School in 1937. Gordon met 
Barbara Griswold in 1939 and it was love at first sight. They were married on 
Dec. 30, 1939 in Portland. They were blessed with two sons but the advent of 
World War II soon affected their family. Ten days following the birth of their 
second son, Gordon reported for duty with the Army, not to return home for 
three years. After the war Gordon returned to his family in Ionia and began 
employment in various occupations ranging from mild delivery to salesman. Most 
of Gordon’s life was spent in automobile sales including ownership of his own 
dealership for a short time in Belding. Following his retirement, he and 
Barbara moved to Edinberg, Texas where they resided for 10 years. The onset of 
Barbara’s health problems prompted their return to Michigan where Barbara died 
on Nov. 30, 1999. Gordon enjoyed numerous hobbies over the years beginning with 
an interest in motorcycles as a young adult. He and Barbara were members of the 
Ionia Motorcycle Club in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s, enjoying many 
excursions throughout Michigan on their Harley-Davidson bikes. Following the 
war years, the family enjoyed boating and water skiing, and later years 
cruising on Lake Michigan in their cabin cruiser the Michiguma (Indian for Land 
of Many Lakes). Retirement also found them pursuing golf while in Texas, a 
sport Gordon enjoyed for the remainder of his life along with bowling on the 
senior league. To conquer his fear of flying, Gordon took flying lessons in the 
mid 1960;s, eventually earning his pilot’s license and the enjoyment of flying 
his Cessna in the years to come.

Gordon is survived by his sons David (Evelyn) of Lyons and Richard (Marilyn) of 
Ionia; four grandchildren, Susan (Jared) Collins of Ann Arbor, Cheryl (Michael) 
Burdo of Grand Rapids, Pamela Stowell and Michael Ransom, both of Ionia; three 
great-grandchildren Troy Stowell, Jennifer Stowell and Megan Ransom and 
numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Barbara; two brothers, Howard and 
Kenneth and two sisters, Bernice Reyburn and Thelma Gustufson.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian 
Church in Ionia with Pastor Robert Nixon officiating. There will be a 
visitation at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of services. Anyone 
wishing may make memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church in care of 
Lake Funeral Home – Ionia. Online condolences may be made at 
www.lakefuneralhomes.com.



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