James H. Ravenscraft

Jim “Pap” Ravenscraft, born at his family home on 2/19/1929 in Jerome PA, to John (Oney) and Mabel Ravenscraft, passed away on 1/20/25. 

Jim left school at an early age (13) to work in the coal mines. He was an avid deer hunter from a young age up until his 80’s when he lost his sight. He met and married Shirley Golby in 1954. He was drafted into the Army while Shirley was pregnant with their first child, Jamie (spouse Joe, children Natalie, Joe and Lindsay and their children), whom he did not meet until she was 16 months old. After his military service, Jim and Shirley moved to Ohio, where he started his career with SK Wellman as a lathe operator for more than 35 years and retired in 1992. He still met for a monthly breakfast with other SK Wellman retirees and family. Jim was a hard worker; a man you could trust 100% and was a wonderful storyteller – and most, if not all, of his stories were completely true! He was a Florida snowbird for many years in Jennings Camp in Lake Wales. He was a devoted football fan, especially of the Cleveland Browns. He always said that once he died, the Browns would have a chance to go to the Super Bowl – so watch out Super Bowl 2026! His last few hours on January 20th were spent watching the Ohio State Buckeyes win the National Championship!

His wife, Shirley (Golby) and second wife Nancy Dannemiller Baker preceded him in death. He is also preceded in death by his parents as well as siblings – Margaret St. Clair, Ethel Perigo, Mary Ellen Ravenscraft and Florence “Tiny” Brown and his son, Ronald Emert. Pap is survived by two siblings, both residing in PA – Geraldine “Dute” (Bill) Budzina and Tom (Joanne) Ravenscraft, many nieces and nephews, as well as by his children James Jr. (Nelly) and Candy Kline (Bill) and Ron’s wife Sue Emert and their children Ron (Lori) Emert, Lynette (RJ) Adkins and Kristi (Nick) Ralston and their children. Over his “golden” years, he was very active and happy to be involved with his grandsons and great-grandchildren Bradley and Heidi Kline with their children Jason, Kaiden and Lillian Kline; Brian Kline and children Nolan, Millie and Amelia Kline; Roger and Marcy Kline and their children Broderick, Luella and Sawyer Kline. He will be missed dearly by many. 

Service and celebration of life to follow in the Spring.