Gladys L. Radebaugh

Gladys L. Radebaugh, 65 passed from this life to her eternal home on Tuesday, August 21, 2018.

                                                      Mike’s Remembrances

About 43 years ago I was a young freshman in Bible College in Springfield, MO.  I was supposed to be paying attention to the sermon but my attention was captured by a beautiful girl.  I knew at that moment that this was the girl I would spend my life with.

Two years later, we began a journey that spanned 4 states, 5 churches, 7 children and soon to be 14 grandchildren.  That journey continued for over 41 years.

Gladys was the love of my life.  She was my joy when I was sad.  My rock when I was weak.  She was the level head when I was scattered.  She brought peace to our home.  She was the best mother our children could have.  She home schooled our children and led each one to a personal relationship to the Christ she loved and worshipped.

She was a friend and mentor to many who crossed her path.  She always had a kind and loving word of encouragement and grace.  If she said she would pray for you, then she prayed for you, and not just once.  Often she would pray for you right on the spot.

She loved her times serving Christ.  From Sunday School teaching to Sisters in Christ, to Harvest Home, to our work as Respite Parents.  She was always the servant.

She never considered herself worthy of the blessings God had given her.

She was the best wife, partner, friend and soulmate any man could have.  I was so blessed to have her love and be her husband.

Many of you know the struggles she had lately with cancer.  We prayed every day for God to bring healing.  Even though I knew she was experiencing pain and struggles, you would never know it.  She did not want anyone to know her struggles.  She would always turn your attention to God and His blessing upon her and her family.  I never heard her complain about her situation.  We just gave it to God, knowing that He is in control.  We knew that the loving God we served would do what He knew was best for her.

When the doctors said there was nothing more they could do, we drove home from Cleveland in silence.  We wondered what His plan was, where He was going with this, and how do we respond.  At home, we prayed and sought for answers.  We kept coming back to the fact that it is God who gives us life, He gives us each day as a gift.  We determined that we would take each day as that, a precious gift from God.  And when we woke up in the morning we would look at each other and say, “Today we live!”

Gladys “lived” 27 more days from that disappointing news that there was nothing more that could be done.  But we knew that it is God who numbers our days and only He knows the future.  We realized that when it comes to that dreaded enemy death, we are all on equal ground.  None of us knows the day or hour when He will call us home.  We didn’t fear death because we knew that our trust was in the work of Christ Jesus.  We both placed our life in His hands at a young age and asked Him to be our Lord and Savior.

At 10:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 21st, Gladys passed from this life to her eternal home.  All her family was there to share in her passing.  She was by my side as I held her close this last time here on earth.  But, don’t despair…..She is more alive now than she ever was here.  She is seeing those who have passed before, her mother and father and other family members, friends and others who have passed before.

I love her, I will miss her, and one day I will see her again.

“Gladys, honey, I will see you soon”

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” – Psalm 115:15

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Arlene Baxter. She is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Mike; sons, Jared (Jen), Jonathan (Somer), Aaron (Ashlee), Brandon; daughters, Aimee (Matthew) Pryor, Bethany Radebaugh, and Emilee (Alexander) Somoskey; 14 grandchildren; sisters, Gaye (Mark) Stratton and Karen Baxter; brother, Joe (Chris) Baxter; and many nieces and nephews, extended family members and close friends.

Friends may call at Shoreline Community Church, 790 Carnegie Ave., Akron, Ohio 44314 on Sunday, August 26, 2018 from 3 to 6 p.m.  A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 6 p.m. 

If desired, donations may be made to

Shelter Care, 32 South Ave., Tallmadge, Oh 44278, in memory of Gladys.