Rev. Donald L. Ladd, 93, recently of Springfield MO., went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and loved ones who had gone on ahead, on Sunday morning of April 10th, 2016 at Meadow Manor, in Taylorville, IL.
Mr. Ladd was born September 10, 1922 in Christian County Illinois to John and Sylvia Ladd.
He attended Lockheed Vega Service School in Burbank, CA where he graduated at the top of his class. Don served in the Air Corps from 1943-46 becoming crew chief of a B17 airplane. Decorations and citiations were good conduct; victory metal; American Theater.
Don married his wife of 53 years, Ardelia Benson, on December 15, 1946. She preceded him in death on December 16, 1999. Together they served in ministry for many years. They started Central Assembly of God, located in St. Joseph, MO in 1954. In 1980 they co-founded Trinity Christian Center Assembly of God in Waynesboro, VA., where they ministered until moving to Springfield, MO in 1995. He was a member of Praise Assembly of God in Springfield, MO. Rev. Ladd held ministerial credentials with the Potomac District Assemblies of God and previously with the Northern MO District.
Rev. Ladd was preceded in death by his wife Ardelia; parents, John and Sylvia; brothers, Ernest and Paul; sisters, Bernice Wilson, Eunice Story, and Lily Mae Ladd. He is also survived by a niece and nephew in Illinois, and a cousin in Florida.
Graveside service with military honors will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 16th at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Springfield MO. Reverend Billy Burris will be officiating.
Don Ladd was known as a man who loved his Lord, family, people and country. He was a trusting soul with a generous heart. Don viewed his contacts with people as Divine appointments to minister for Christ. He loved to start a project for a cause and recruit others to help him. Don also loved donuts since his boyhood!