Ronald
Ronald Franz
Ron passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. He was born July 13, 1942 and raised by his parents Stanley and Alice Franz in Eau Claire, Michigan.
Ron earned his Bachelor degree in 1967 from WMU. He worked as a Probation Officer and worked for 30 years at Youth Opportunities Unlimited in Kalamazoo. Ron wore many hats in his days as an avid hunter and fisherman. Ron enjoyed being with nature and in the company of another outdoorsman. He was a driver’s training instructor as well as enjoying Llama farming and polka dancing. He was never satisfied with just sitting still for a minute. He was a hard worker, cutting and trimming trees. Ron was a jokester. He always had a joke to tell no matter how inappropriate or awkward. He would tell it to the waitress at a restaurant and always when we still had to sit there and wait for our food. One thing you should have never asked Ron…How are you doing? His response was always STILL KICKING and he’d proved it with a light kick to your behind. He loved to laugh and have fun. He lived his best life.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Franz of 43 years; a daughter Kristen Franz Somers; 2 sons, Johan (Kristen) Franz and Erich (Shawna) Franz; 5 grandchildren, Natalie, Madelyn, Chloee, Cheznee and Carson; and a special nephew Tom Wicker.
Remember all the things he loved to do, all the memories that you shared and live your best life like Ron did. According to his wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later time.
Contributions in memory of Ron may be made to Ducks Unlimited. Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Ronald Franz
Condolence Messages
Emily
October 20, 2021 at 5:30 pm
I’m so sorry to hear Ron has passed away. His obit described him perfectly. He did a lot of work for me over the years because there wasn’t any job he wouldn’t try. He was so much fun to have around and I enjoyed his dumb jokes. He loved his family and I know you’ll miss him so much. Thanks for sharing him .
Reply
Kim MacKellar
October 21, 2021 at 7:05 am
Dear family & friends of Ron:
From ’69 – ’73 I worked at Okun Bros. Shoes and since Y.O.U. was a nearby neighbor, often saw & got to know him.
He made a very positive & long lasting impression. I’m very sorry for your loss.
I will say a prayer for his soul and the comfort of all who miss him.
Sympathetically, Kim “MAC” MacKellar
Reply
Carol Ashley
October 22, 2021 at 12:25 pm
I am sorry to learn of Ron’s passing. I will miss bantering with him and never knew for sure if he was teasing to get a rise out of me or quite serious. I believe it was a combination. What a character! Sincere condolences.
Reply
Gayle Dow (Stambeck)
October 22, 2021 at 4:35 pm
Dear Marilyn and family.
It has been a long time sinceI have had contact with you, Marilyn. I didn’t know Ron real well, but having worked with you, Marilyn, he visited our office every now and again and I do remember him as a jokester. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. So very sorry for your loss.
Reply
Marcey Sweet
October 24, 2021 at 9:32 pm
I cannot express how sorry I am for your loss Ron loved to tease me and I will forever miss him telling me he found some change in the parking lot for me !!
Reply
Rebecca Hemmer
October 25, 2021 at 11:37 pm
Sorry for your loss. Prayer to Kristen and her family. (KCHS class of 88)
Reply
Desiree Culbertson Wojciechowski
October 26, 2021 at 11:17 am
I’m so saddened to hear of Ronnie’s passing. Thoughts and prayers for Kristen and ALL the family
Reply
Owen Laughlin
October 26, 2021 at 2:45 pm
Marilyn,
I was very sorry to hear that Ron had passed away. I have very fond memories of both of you from the years you were our neighbor on Kingston Ave. I always enjoyed my conversations and interactions with Ron. He always made me laugh. He used to rototill our garden every spring with his tractor and willingly took down a large maple tree in our backyard after it split in a windstorm. Although we haven’t been in contact for a long time I just want you to know he was a positive influence in my life and you were both wondeful neighbors. I am very sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Owen Laughlin
Reply
Sue Brenner
October 27, 2021 at 11:54 am
Marilyn,
I am sorry for your loss. I found myself smiling as I read Ron’s obituary remembering his jokester qualities. I always found myself lacking for a good witty reply. I hope I bump into you in the near future. I always enjoy catching up.
Reply
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Ron earned his Bachelor degree in 1967 from WMU. He worked as a Probation Officer and worked for 30 years at Youth Opportunities Unlimited in Kalamazoo. Ron wore many hats in his days as an avid hunter and fisherman. Ron enjoyed being with nature and in the company of another outdoorsman. He was a driver’s training instructor as well as enjoying Llama farming and polka dancing. He was never satisfied with just sitting still for a minute. He was a hard worker, cutting and trimming trees. Ron was a jokester. He always had a joke to tell no matter how inappropriate or awkward. He would tell it to the waitress at a restaurant and always when we still had to sit there and wait for our food. One thing you should have never asked Ron…How are you doing? His response was always STILL KICKING and he’d proved it with a light kick to your behind. He loved to laugh and have fun. He lived his best life.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Franz of 43 years; a daughter Kristen Franz Somers; 2 sons, Johan (Kristen) Franz and Erich (Shawna) Franz; 5 grandchildren, Natalie, Madelyn, Chloee, Cheznee and Carson; and a special nephew Tom Wicker.
Remember all the things he loved to do, all the memories that you shared and live your best life like Ron did. According to his wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later time.
Contributions in memory of Ron may be made to Ducks Unlimited. Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Ronald Franz
Condolence Messages
Emily
October 20, 2021 at 5:30 pm
I’m so sorry to hear Ron has passed away. His obit described him perfectly. He did a lot of work for me over the years because there wasn’t any job he wouldn’t try. He was so much fun to have around and I enjoyed his dumb jokes. He loved his family and I know you’ll miss him so much. Thanks for sharing him .
Reply
Kim MacKellar
October 21, 2021 at 7:05 am
Dear family & friends of Ron:
From ’69 – ’73 I worked at Okun Bros. Shoes and since Y.O.U. was a nearby neighbor, often saw & got to know him.
He made a very positive & long lasting impression. I’m very sorry for your loss.
I will say a prayer for his soul and the comfort of all who miss him.
Sympathetically, Kim “MAC” MacKellar
Reply
Carol Ashley
October 22, 2021 at 12:25 pm
I am sorry to learn of Ron’s passing. I will miss bantering with him and never knew for sure if he was teasing to get a rise out of me or quite serious. I believe it was a combination. What a character! Sincere condolences.
Reply
Gayle Dow (Stambeck)
October 22, 2021 at 4:35 pm
Dear Marilyn and family.
It has been a long time sinceI have had contact with you, Marilyn. I didn’t know Ron real well, but having worked with you, Marilyn, he visited our office every now and again and I do remember him as a jokester. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. So very sorry for your loss.
Reply
Marcey Sweet
October 24, 2021 at 9:32 pm
I cannot express how sorry I am for your loss Ron loved to tease me and I will forever miss him telling me he found some change in the parking lot for me !!
Reply
Rebecca Hemmer
October 25, 2021 at 11:37 pm
Sorry for your loss. Prayer to Kristen and her family. (KCHS class of 88)
Reply
Desiree Culbertson Wojciechowski
October 26, 2021 at 11:17 am
I’m so saddened to hear of Ronnie’s passing. Thoughts and prayers for Kristen and ALL the family
Reply
Owen Laughlin
October 26, 2021 at 2:45 pm
Marilyn,
I was very sorry to hear that Ron had passed away. I have very fond memories of both of you from the years you were our neighbor on Kingston Ave. I always enjoyed my conversations and interactions with Ron. He always made me laugh. He used to rototill our garden every spring with his tractor and willingly took down a large maple tree in our backyard after it split in a windstorm. Although we haven’t been in contact for a long time I just want you to know he was a positive influence in my life and you were both wondeful neighbors. I am very sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Owen Laughlin
Reply
Sue Brenner
October 27, 2021 at 11:54 am
Marilyn,
I am sorry for your loss. I found myself smiling as I read Ron’s obituary remembering his jokester qualities. I always found myself lacking for a good witty reply. I hope I bump into you in the near future. I always enjoy catching up.
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
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How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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