Ted Ravenstein

Teddy Gene "Ted" Ravenstein, 83, of Madison, Miss., passed away surrounded by his family Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Madison. A wake service will be at 7 p.m.

A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church.

He was born Nov. 14, 1928, in Cape Girardeau. In his teens, Ted began his career in the jewelry industry as a watchmaker working for his uncle, John Juniker, at John Juniker Jewelry in Jackson, Miss.

Ted is a veteran of the Korean conflict, having served as an active duty infantry machine-gunner and later as a watchmaker in the ordnance company.

In 1969, Ted and his wife, Betty, moved to Jackson to purchase Juniker Jewelry Co. upon John Juniker's retirement. Ted worked tirelessly through the years to build the business he loved. Ted was most proud of his family and of working through the years with his wife by his side, having his sons join the business as the third generation and a grandson as the fourth generation. Ted retired from Juniker Jewelry in 1992.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted Ravenstein and Blanche Cargle; a brother, John Wayne Ravenstein; and a son, Dennis Mitchell Ravenstein.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Betty Sullivan Ravenstein; a brother, Paul Ravenstein of Sahuarita, Ariz.; two sisters, Patsy Ravenstein Kimbrell and Pauline Ravenstein Littleton of Cape Girardeau; three sons, Ronald Gene Ravenstein of Madison, John Wayne Ravenstein (Rachel Betts) of Jackson, Donald William Ravenstein (Rhonda Thornton) of Brandon, Miss; six grandchildren, Natalie Lynn Ravenstein Adams (James Bay) of Summit, Miss., Corey William Ravenstein (fiancee Jennifer Lewis) of Brandon, John Ryan Ravenstein of Jackson, Reagan Elizabeth Ravenstein and Emerald Lynn Ravenstein of Madison; and a great-grandchild, Amelia Lynn Adams of Summit.

Ted was a communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where he was knighted as Sir Knight Fourth Degree in the Knights of Columbus Council 9543.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Son Valley, P.O. Box 406, Canton, MS 39046, or St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church of Madison.

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