Cover photo for Ramona Kathryn Greenhaw's Obituary
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1938 Ramona 2025

Ramona Kathryn Greenhaw

November 24, 1938 — January 12, 2025

Berrien Center, Michigan

Ramona Kathryn (Heim) Greenhaw, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 12, 2025, at the age of 86. Born on November 24, 1938 in Guthrie, Oklahoma to John Heim and Ethel (Stewart) Heim. Ramona was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and educator who left a mark on the hearts of all who knew her. She grew up on a farm in Cashion, Oklahoma, along with her two sisters, Juanita and Betty, and her faithful horse, Spotty.

Ramona attended the local Cashion schools through the ninth grade where she made some lifelong friends and started playing basketball, a sport that remained dear to her heart her entire life. She continued her education at Southwestern Academy and Jr. College and attended Southern Adventist College in Tennessee for one year before transferring to Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she earned at BS in Education and Home Economics, which became the foundation of her lifelong commitment to teaching and learning. She later earned a Master’s degree in Education from Michigan State University. 

At the age of 13, at the Seventh day Adventist church in Oklahoma City, Ramona unexpectedly crossed paths with a young man named Jerry Gilbert Greenhaw. Little did she know that young man would end up being the love of her life. By the time she was 15, Jerry had decided she was the one, but due to Ramona's free spirit she took a little longer to come around. Jerry was always steadfast in his love for her and over time she realized the same . At the age of 22 Ramona finally married Jerry on July 24, 1960, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started what would be a lifelong love together. Their union was a beautiful example of partnership and mutual respect, and together they raised four wonderful children: Brian (Melissa) Greenhaw, Steven (Nora) Greenhaw, Cindy (Wil) Reyna and Susan (Richard) Moth. Ramona's family was her pride and joy and she took immense pleasure in watching it grow to include 14 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom survive her and will carry on her legacy of love. 

Ramona’s commitment to her faith was evident in her active membership at the Fairplain Seventh-day Adventist Church where she formed lasting friendships and was a kindergarten Sabbath School teacher for decades. She lived her beliefs through her actions, and the principles of love and service that were central to her faith.

Professionally, Ramona was a respected high school teacher at Eau Claire High School for her entire career, where she inspired countless students. She deeply cared about her students and guided them with laughter and wisdom, always making an effort to keep her classes fun and interesting. Cooking classes were her students’ favorites.

Although she tried to stay out of the spotlight, Ramona was well known by almost everyone for her ability to connect with children, her laughter, her kind and loving spirit, her infectious smile, and her ability to always find the positive in situations. Anyone who visited her home was welcomed as family, treated as such, and never left hungry. She never lost her trademark sense of humor or her ability to laugh in the middle of circumstances, no matter how difficult things became, even after her strokes, cancer, Alzheimer’s and dementia. Her presence was a comfort, her laughter a joy, and her guidance a treasure that will be deeply missed.

A family directed memorial service will be on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at 11:30 AM at the Fairplain Seventh-day Adventist Church 1352 Colfax Ave., Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022. Memorial contributions can be made in Ramona’s honor to the Care Fund at the Fairplain Seventh-day Adventist Church, which is used to help people in need. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bowerman Funeral Home in Eau Claire, Michigan.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Family Directed Celebration of Life

Sunday, January 19, 2025

11:30am - 12:30 pm (Eastern time)

Fairplain Seventh-day Adventist Church

1352 Colfax Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

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