Ruth Elaine (Lanie) McReynolds

May 18, 1945 — February 3, 2024

Appleton

Ruth Elaine (Lanie) Camp McReynolds 78, was promoted to her heavenly home on February 3, 2024.
When Lanie was five years old, she received Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior and her greatest Treasure. She heard the bad news that the Bible says for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and that we deserve hell. Her sin had separated her from God who is sinless and holy. Then she heard the good news of Jesus Christ. The Bible says For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). God’s standard is perfection. Jesus alone lived the perfect, sinless life. Lanie received the free gift of God through Jesus’ death on the cross. He alone could pay the costly price for her sin. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Lanie never got over how the Lord had chosen her though she was undeserving of His kindness. She was overjoyed to be saved by His grace.
Lanie was born into the loving home of John and Ruth Camp on May 18, 1945 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was the 3rd of five children (Norm, Judie, Steve and Bob). She adored her siblings. From a young age, she felt the great love of her family and of the Lord Jesus Christ. When she was seven years old, her family moved to Wheaton, IL as her Dad started a Christian Advertising Agency. He worked with ministries like Day of Discovery, Back to the Bible, and Radio Bible Class. Her Dad had a heart for those who didn’t know Jesus and he desired to reach cities for Christ as he started the first Christian radio station in NYC. Lanie looked up to her Dad and Mom greatly. Her mom was a faithful wife, mom and homemaker. She had fond memories of walking in the door from school to the smell of freshly baked cookies or brownies. She exemplified to Lanie a love for the Lord and His Word.
As a teenager, Lanie was very involved at Wheaton Bible Church. She had wonderful memories of listening to Pastor Malcolm Cronk preach the Word of God as she loved taking notes. She loved youth group and singing in the choir! She was also very involved in Youth for Christ, where her dad served on the board. She loved serving as the coordinator for activities, being on the Bible Quiz team and traveling to Winona Lake Youth for Christ Conference. She attended Billy Sunday Tabernacle meetings. Her life was rich and full.
Lanie graduated from Wheaton High School and then attended the King’s College in Briarcliff Manor, NY from 1963-1967. After graduating from King’s, she taught school for five years. She especially had a heart for kids that were struggling.
Between her sophomore and junior year of college, she told the Lord that she would erase her own plans on the chalkboard of her life as she submitted her plans to the Lord. Soon after she heard of a need for summer counselors at Camp Forest Springs. She knew that the Lord was leading her to serve there. By the end of the summer, Ron McReynolds asked her on a date. She was overjoyed! Three years later, Ron and Lanie got married. She adored him and always had a twinkle in her eye whenever he walked into a room even in her last days on earth. She never got over how Ron had chosen her!
The Lord led Ron and Lanie on many exciting adventures together. They lived in Coronado, CA as Ron was with the Navy UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) 11, later named Seal Team. Lanie loved adventure as she said “It was exciting! Ships coming in the harbor, planes in the sky, shopping on the Naval base.” While Ron was serving with UDT 11, he was chosen to be part of the team to pick up Apollo 11 with Neil Armstrong coming back from walking on the moon. He would be separated from her for another 6 months for special training. After praying, Ron turned the offer down as he chose Lanie instead because he didn’t want to be away from her. Lanie felt his sacrificial love towards her over her entire life as he laid down his life for hers.
They later returned to Camp Forest Springs to serve on missionary staff. God gave them 2 daughters that they loved greatly, Heidi and Jodi. Lanie was an amazing mom to her daughters. They loved their mom and looked up to her! The family moved to Portland, Oregon where Ron attended seminary. On Lanie’s birthday in 1980, the family went to Mt. Hood to celebrate. While on Mt. Hood, they saw Mt. St. Helens erupting! A sight they would never forget! Later they lived in Platteville, Wisconsin where they were thankful to be around family. In 1987, they moved to Grafton. Lanie owned her own business there called “Friend to Friend” where she welcomed many new people which she loved. They would later move to Appleton.
Music filled the Camp family home. Her mom was a violinist yet loved playing piano. Her brother was a singer/ songwriter. Lanie's grandmother, Mabel Johnston Camp, wrote many hymns including "He is Coming Again," which meant so much to Lanie over the years as she looked forward to Jesus coming again! Hymns were meaningful to Lanie. As her disease progressed, she continued to be blessed by old and modern day hymns.
She was a beautiful pianist. Her beloved teacher, Alice Oury in Wheaton would often repeat the words of the song and then say “Play with your heart, Lanie.” That impressed her greatly as you could hear her heart for the Lord as she played. She enjoyed playing for the King’s College chapels, church services, and other gatherings.
She was an avid game player (especially Rook!). She enjoyed decorating, setting a pretty table, making nourishing meals, baking, crocheting, cross stitching, planting flowers, and getting her hands dirty as she pulled weeds! She loved getting good bargains and garage saling was a favorite hobby! She made many wonderful friends along the way!
Lanie has been described as hospitable, honest to the penny, a morning person, bubbly, gracious, an amazing listener, an outstanding encourager, having a great laugh that made everyone else in the room laugh and one of the most joyful people they have ever met.
Most of all, Lanie desired to leave a legacy in which “She loved the Lord and loved others. Because people are the only thing we can take to heaven.” Her Dad used to say, Live life today as if it’s your last and someday you’ll be right!
Her loved ones miss Lanie greatly. Yet they rejoice that she is with her Savior.
Lanie is survived by her husband Ron; two daughters and sons-in-law: Heidi (Jason) Schafbuch and Jodi (Aaron) Bauer; 12 grandchildren: Kaylee, Grace, Samuel, Jonathan, Josiah, Esther, and Ruthie Schafbuch and Caedmon, Piper, Henry, Alistair, Hezekiah Bauer; 2 siblings and brothers/sisters in law: John and Judie Linstra and Steve and Cindy Camp, Jan Risberg, Bonnie Palmquist as well as many loved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents John and Ruth (Starkweather) Camp; her in-laws Paul and Lela (Bottomley) McReynolds; 2 siblings Norm and Bob Camp; one grandson Noah Schafbuch.

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