Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Warren

Rev. Dr. Ronald Barry Warren, 80, resident of Grove City, Ohio, passed away on February 16th, 2025 from natural causes. Dr. Warren was born in Sandusky, Ohio on November 22, 1944. His parents were Evelyn Hirt and Kenneth Warren, with two brothers, Jimmy and Chester Warren, and one sister, Wilma Agosti. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and received his Eagle Scout badge at the age of 14 in 1958. He graduated from Capital University in 1966, from Trinity Lutheran Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in 1970, and from the Lutheran School of Theology with a Doctor of Ministry in 1983. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Newberry College in 1996.

Dr. Warren was married to Neva Warren on June 8, 1968. They were married 56 years.

From 1970 to 1988, he served as a parish pastor for congregations in Wisconsin and Tennessee, and was called to serve as Assistant to the Bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA in 1988. In 1995, he was elected to serve as Bishop of the Southeastern Synod, and served in this role until 2007, when he became Bishop Emeritus. He subsequently served as liaison for Lutheran Disaster Relief, notably during the recovery from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. From 2009 to 2010, he was instrumental in the planning and formation of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), and served as the first Regional Dean of Ohio from 2010 to 2011.

Dr. Warren was a dedicated and loving father and husband, and a devout man of faith who loved playing with his children and then his grandchildren. Neva was the love of his life and they enjoyed wonderful travels in many parts of the world. He worked tirelessly to contribute to the Lutheran Church and community as a whole, and fervently believed in inclusion, equality and diversity as key principles in his work. He was a man whose moral convictions and faith would not be compromised. He lived his faith, and loved the church. He will be remembered as a man of deep compassion and conviction who loved people and served his Lord to the last.

Dr. Warren is survived by his wife, Neva, his daughter, Heather (Brady Stewart), and his son, Jeremy (Sandra Greau), as well as his brother, Chester, and his sister, Wilma. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Kristopher, Alexandra, and Adrien.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn and Kenneth and his brother, Jimmy.

Memorial services will be held on February 26th, 2025 at 11 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Grove City, Ohio. The services will be preceded by a visitation at 10 AM. The memorial service will be streamed online, available on the Facebook page of St. John’s Lutheran Church at https://www.facebook.com/stjohnsgrovecity/ .

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to either St. John's Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer's Association or the charity of your choice.