BATAVIA, IL (December 1, 2016) – Retired Covenant pastor Gary Ridout died Sunday, November 27. He was 82.

Gary was born September 28, 1934, in Buckeye, Iowa. He attended North Park College and earned a master’s of divinity at North Park Seminary.

He married Patricia (Pat) Ridout on June 26, 1954. She preceded him in death.

Before attending seminary, Gary worked at several agricultural feed companies. He went on to serve the Evangelical Covenant Church in Savonburg, Kansas; Bensonvale Covenant Church in Omaha, Nebraska; Hillside Covenant Church in St. Peters, Missouri; and Mission Covenant Church in Blue Island, Illinois.

Survivors include three daughters, KoKay Renken, Koleen Persson, and Kris Wedekind; eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held at the Princeton (Illinois) Covenant Church in early 2017.