Shirley Ragsdale

Shirley L. Ragsdale, 72, of Spring Twp., passed away Friday, July 2nd, of natural causes at home. Born in Renova, PA, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Althea (Stroup) Wensel. She married Dr. John P. Ragsdale on July 25, 1959. She graduated from the Easton Hospital School of Nursing, and worked for three years at the hospital. Together they served as missionaries to Zambia, Africa from 1964 through 1971, where she operated a clinic at the David Livingstone Teachers College. Upon her return to the United States, she worked first at Easton Hospital, and in 1973 at Muhlenberg Medical Center in Bethlehem, where she eventually became director of nursing. She retired in 1983. In 1996, she began working with Dr. Ronald Emkey in osteoporosis research, until retiring again in 2004. She earned the A.Sc. and B.S. degrees from United Wesleyan College in Allentown, and the M.S. from the University of Scranton.

She was a member of the First Evangelical Congregational Church in Reading, where her husband is a part time pastor. In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughters: Wendy S. Leamon, wife of Rev. Michael Leamon of Silver Creek, N.Y., and Crystal G. Alba, wife of Robert A. Alba Jr. of Reading. There are also grandchildren: Joana and Joshua Leamon, and one great granddaughter: Sofia. She is also survived by brothers: David, husband of Linda (Nixon) Wensel, and Richard Wensel, all of Daytona Beach, FL.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Global Ministries, Evangelical Congregational Church Center, 100 W. Park Ave., Myerstown, PA 17067.