12/10/2023
Celebrating the Blessed Life of Rev. Ronald Mark Flessner
Rev. Ronald Mark Flessner, 69, of Logan, UT, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2023, at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, UT.
Ron was born on April 23, 1954, in Kankakee, IL, to Rev. Harold B. and Louise V. Flessner. After graduating from Homer Community High School in 1972, he pursued an interdisciplinary major in natural science at Illinois Wesleyan University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1976. He then focused on a seminary education that prepared him for his life-calling to the Christian ministry. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1979, and emerged from there with a strong commitment to campus Christian ministry.
Ron began his ministry in Illinois and obtained his first license to preach from the Assemblies of God in 1981. Between 1981 and 2012, he preached in Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, and Utah, and he took international mission trips to Thailand (1992, 1993-94), Chile (1995), Malaysia (1999), and Brazil (2000).
In 1984, his calling led him to Michigan, where he was ordained as a minister by the Assemblies of God in 1987. From 1985 – 2004, he worked in the Assemblies of God Chi Alpha Campus Ministry at Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing. While with Chi Alpha at MSU, he was an organizational team member of the Christian International Student Conference (1996 – 2004) and the director of the Friendship Family Program at MSU (1994 – 2004). In 2001, MSU recognized his work with international students by honoring him the Homer Higbee International Education Award.
During his ministry in Michigan, Ron also held teaching appointments. From 1987-89, he served as an instructor in Biblical Languages (Greek) at Valley Bible Institute in Saginaw, MI (1987-89). In addition, during his mission trip to Thailand on behalf of the Assemblies of God in 1993-94, he served as an English Teaching Missionary at Ramkhamhaeng University in Bangkok.
While in Michigan, Ron met his soul-mate, Karen Lee Mei Ling of Malaysia, whom he married on November 21, 1998, in Urbana, IL. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of their son, William Lee Tien-En Flessner, on August 6, 2000.
The family moved to Logan, UT, in 2006, where Ron was affiliated with the Assemblies of God Chi Alpha Ministry at Utah State University until 2009. From 2009 to 2016, Ron served as the English Service Pastor for the Logan Oriental Mission Church. In 2009, Ron became affiliated with The Missionary Church International (TMCI). Under the auspices of TMCI, he and Karen co-founded the International Freedom Christian Fellowship (IFCF) in Logan, where he served as Senior Pastor until his death. Beginning in 2012, Ron also served as State Coordinator of the National Day of Prayer Task Force in Utah. During those same years, he held prayer and worship services at the Utah State Capitol Building in Salt Lake City, UT.
Ron was predeceased by his parents and his brother Alan J. Flessner. He is survived by his wife and son, who reside in Logan; his brother David H. Flessner, of Milwaukee, WI; his sister Joan L. Flessner-Filzen, of Saratoga Springs, NY; his nephew Christopher A. Flessner, of Stow, OH; his niece Kimberly M. Harris, of Menomonee, WI; three grandnephews, and one grandniece.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on December 16, 2023, at 270 North Main, Logan, UT; a lunch will immediately follow the service. Questions may be directed to Karen Flessner via email ([email protected]) or text (435-760-5458).
A memorial service and the burial of his cremated remains will take place at Westlawn Cemetery in Cullom, IL, on June 8, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to Karen Flessner via Zelle (435-760-5458) or to 1709 East 1460 North, Logan, UT 84341.
