Ronnie Gene Unger, 76, of Galesburg, died at 7:56 p.m. Monday, September 14, 2020, in the emergency room of OSF St. Mary Medical Center.
He was born November 28, 1943, in Frankfort, Indiana, the son of Martin Van Buren and Wilma Dean (Carter) Unger. He married Leah Anne Harshman on September 5, 1965, in Frankfort.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Leah; a son, Robert A. Unger of East Peoria; a daughter, Teri R. (John) Parks of Kirkwood; four grandchildren, Katrina (Josh) Segoviano, Tamara Parks, Logan Unger, and Alyssa Unger; a sister, Karen Gibbs of Frankfort, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Martin D. Unger; and a sister, Lynne Martin.
Ron was raised and educated in Frankfort, Indiana, where he graduated from high school in 1962. He graduated from Purdue University in 1968. After college, Ron worked as an industrial engineer for the Whirlpool Corporation in St. Joseph, Michigan for 4 1/2 years. He then worked for two years as a production scheduling supervisor for Diamond Reo Trucks in Lansing, Michigan. In 1975, Ron moved his family to Galesburg, where he began a 30-year career with the Maytag Corporation, retiring December 31, 2004 as senior manufacturing manager. Since June of 2019, Ron has served as the receiving manager at Wordsmith Bookshoppe.
Ron was a member of the former Emmanuel United Methodist Church for 30 years, where he served on the Pastor-Parish Committee, was the finance chairperson, and served on the board of trustees. He and Leah later attended the First Christian Church in Monmouth. Ron was a member of the Cary Club and Alpha Eta Rho at Purdue University and was in the Management Club from Maytag. Ron was an Eagle Scout and had served as a pack co-leader.
Ron enjoyed camping, traveling, hunting, and fishing. He had volunteered with the Warren County Special Olympics for 10 years. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, September 18, 2020, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, September 19, 2020, at the chapel. Cremation will be accorded after the funeral with burial in Kilmore Cemetery near Frankfort, Indiana at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ron and Leah Unger Endowment at Purdue University or Warren County Special Olympics. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com
