Richard Ross Warner, 78, of Chicago, IL passed away peacefully on May 19, 2021.

Richard was born August 12, 1942 in Defiance, Ohio to the late Dortha Duvall Warner and Lester Warner. He grew up in small Indiana towns and graduated from Mississinewa High School in 1961 where he was student body president and played on the basketball team. He graduated from Manchester College in 1965, and later received a Master of Divinity from the Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, and a Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Following seminary in 1971, Richard was called to ministry in Hemlock, Oregon, Portland, Oregon, and Klamath Falls, Oregon for the Church of the Nazarene. Later, after transferring his ordination to the United Church of Christ, he pastored churches in Warren, Indiana, Goshen, Indiana and Three Oaks, Michigan. He sought to provide affirmation to all in his congregation, and he attended to his parishioners with unwavering love, patience, and hope. During his ministry, he also worked in hospitals and prisons, serving others with kindness and dignity.

On June 11, 1966, Richard married Jeannine Jetter in Fort Recovery, Ohio. They met in the fall of 1965 while they were both teachers in LaPorte, Indiana and spent Christmas break on a road trip in an aqua VW bug. They saw Hello Dolly in New York City on Christmas Day and were unofficially engaged by the time they returned to Indiana. They remained steadfastly at each other's side until Richard's death.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Jeannine Jetter Warner, daughter Rachel Forward (Paul) of Boulder, Colorado, son Ross Warner (Samantha) of New York City, son Dean Warner of Austin, Texas, and daughter Alicia Blais (Peter) of Chicago and seven grandchildren, Nicholas, Adam, James, Luke, Matthew, Cecelia and Julia. He also leaves behind brothers David Warner (Janice), of Ramona, California, and Lynn Warner (Donna) of LaPorte, Indiana, and many nieces and nephews.

Richard's great joy in life was his family. He was an adventurer and a lover of nature, and together with his family he embarked on many road trips in red vehicles –  first in a Malibu station wagon and then in a red camper. He loved his dog, Dessa. Later in life, he walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain and traveled to Antarctica. He doted on his grandchildren, and he always loved to hear of any mischievous deeds or grand adventures. He was wise, introspective, and an excellent listener but it is perhaps his joyful laugh and zest for life that will be missed the most.