Donald Charles "Donnie" Ravenscroft

Donald Charles Ravenscroft, Jr.

     KEYSER, WV – Seventy-six years ago, a tiny baby was born weighing one pound fourteen ounces on October 14, 1940. No one thought he would survive but survive he did to live a long, full life. Donnie Ravenscroft was always so proud of the fact, that against all odds, he lived even with his cerebral palsy.  But on Sunday April 2, 2017 Donnie left us and, went to join his heavenly home.

     As the oldest of twelve children born to the late Donald and Hazel Cook Ravenscroft in Keyser, Donnie became the patriarch of a large family. He is remembered by his outgoing personality. From the confines of his wheelchair Donnie managed to know a great number of people and to know about them.  His first seven months were spent in an incubator at Potomac Valley Hospital, then in his early years he lived on Water St. in Keyser before the family moved to Hooker Hollow Road.

      He told someone recently that his favorite memory is wheeling himself up into the field across from home early in the morning  smoking his pipe. At home he would sit on the front porch to wave to neighbors. He was known for his love of singing and his compassion and concern for others.  He was a collector of hats (hundreds), CDs (also hundreds), and pipes (not as many).

      He will be missed by his sisters, brothers and in-laws: Judy and Owen Stanley,  Patricia Keller, Leon and Kathy Ravenscroft, Marian and Kerry Miller, sister in law Cyndi Ravenscroft,  Chris and  Lois Ravenscroft, Karen Ravenscroft and Greg Hotchkiss, all of Keyser, Janet Ravenscroft of Romney, Amy and Jim Wildman of Martinsburg,  Mollie Ravenscroft and Kent Moreno of Shepherdstown, and Norman and Robin Ravenscroft of New Creek. His aunt Dorothy Cook Sentz  and many cousins will also mourn his  passing.

      Donnie took great pleasure in his twenty six nieces and nephews whom he would get to do his  bidding from his wheelchair, which they would cheerfully do especially if he offered them a nickel or, with inflation, a quarter.  They include: Joe Barrick, Chuck Barrick, Michelle Laurenzo, Nicole Murphy, Katie Barrie, Mollie Keller, Noel Ravenscroft, Matthew Ravenscroft, Troy Ravenscroft, Emily Altobello, Kerri Staggers, Abby Duckworth, David Miller, Sarah Wildman, Jami Cox, Doug Ravenscroft, Rachel Ravenscroft, Andrea Eversole, Megan Moreno, Ben Moreno, Erin Ravenscroft, Laura Pritts, Jenny Redman, Ryan Hotchkiss, Julie Arnold,  and  Andrew Rotruck. He soon then started training some of his forty-six great nieces and nephews to do their part to help him.

      In his early years Donnie found great support from his late grandparents Charles and Clara (Barr) Cook and Columbus and Annie (Ervin) Ravenscroft. Donnie missed his late brother Douglas Ravenscroft who was always willing to cheerfully assist him while sharing a joke. He was grieved by the death of his great nephew Cody Raines and many aunts and uncles.

     Donnie had some difficult times experiencing several surgeries and hospitalizations and being homebound. But as his siblings grew up, they often took Donnie out to eat, shopping and to places like the beach and to visit them.

     His passing will leave a hole in the hearts of so many who knew him. When Donnie is remembered it will be with a tear and a smile; a tear for our grief but a smile when remembering some of his antics and funny expressions. He enjoyed life. And he is now enjoying the great hereafter with his many loved ones.

     There will be visitations at Markwood Funeral Home in Keyser on Friday, April 7, 2017, from 2-4 & 7-9 pm.  His funeral will be on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, 233 S. Mineral Street with visitation one hour prior to services.   Interment will follow at the Potomac Memorial Garden Cemetery.

     Family and friends are invited to a bon fire on Saturday evening, April 8 at 6:00 at Ravenscroft Field as a memorial to our dear Donnie.

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