Jean Ratzlaff Johnson

Jean Ratzlaff Johnson, June 25, 1930 – November 15, 2022

At home on Tuesday afternoon in the arms of family and friends, Jean Johnson passed gently into the never-ending love of Jesus. Daughter to Dan and Ruth Ratzlaff, older sister to Clarice Rose, Jean grew up in Stoneboro, Pennsylvania. She met her husband of over 71 years, Sidney (Mac), at Anderson College. Together they served God as Church of God missionaries to India and Asia for 47 years. Their love continues today on earth as it does in heaven.

Jean had a great love for children: her three children (Dan, Paul, Deb) her three grandchildren (Elisha, Donovan, Lei) and really all children. God’s love came through her in great abundance. She began her service to children in 1955 at The Shelter, a home for girls in Cuttack, India. She also worked for greater inclusion of women in the Church and in 1990 helped establish a sisterhood called The Women of the Church of God in Asia.

When Jean and Mac left Asia, a dear friend told her “Jean, God isn’t through with you yet.” This has become abundantly true. Together, though Mac has always given Jean the leading role (and the glory to God) they founded Children of Promise. Thirty years later, with new torch bearers, this child sponsorship program has grown greatly and is now in 31 countries. Through Children of Promise God’s love has flowed and continues to flow a mighty river in the lives of thousands of beautiful children across the planet.

There will be a memorial service for Jean on Saturday, December 3, at Park Place Church of God. Visitation will begin at 1 pm and the service at 2. Though she loves flowers, she asks that you instead make a donation to Children of Promise or perhaps even consider sponsoring a child.