Ronald Bernard Maxon, age 76

Ronald Bernard Maxon, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 2:05 AM - Monday May 2, 2016, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Illinois.

Funeral services celebrating Ron's life will be held at 10:30 AM - Friday May 6, 2016, at Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Rev. Steve Willis officiating.  Burial will be in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Newton, Illinois, with full military rites. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 PM - Thursday May 5, 2016, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois, with Masonic rites at 7:00 PM.  There will also be visitation 1 hour before the service.  The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com .  In loving memory of Ron, memorials may be made to the Jasper County Cancer Fund PO Box 333 Newton, Illinois 62448.

Ronald Bernard Maxon was born on June 11, 1939, in Belvidere, Illinois, the son of Charles and Margaret (Koppen) Maxon.  He married Marcea (Clark) Maxon on April 14, 1978, in Effingham, Illinois, and she survives.

Ron was a graduate of the Belvidere High School in Belvidere, Illinois, and attended Elmhurst College, playing football in both his high school and college years.

He was a Vietnam Veteran serving in the United States military as a Navy Seabee from October 1961, to February 1966.

Ron was a union carpenter and millwright by trade. He relocated to Southeastern Illinois in 1975.  In 1980, he was hired by the Newton Power Station and retired after 21 years of service as a mechanical maintenance repairman.  After retiring he worked various occupations, his last being a bus driver for Jasper Unit #1 School System.

Ron loved football and enjoyed camping, traveling, and woodworking. He was a member of Winterrowd Masonic Lodge #664 in Dieterich, Illinois, Mattoon VFW Post #4325, and a lifetime member of the Jasper Post #20 American Legion. Most of all, he was so proud of his children and grandchildren.

Ron is survived by:

Wife of 38 years Marcea Maxon of Newton, Illinois; children: Lyn (husband Donald) Hill of Jewett City, Connecticut; Katrina Oliver of Wildwood, Missouri;

Jeremy (wife Jennifer) Clark of Georgetown, Illinois; Matthew (wife Jenni) Maxon of Newton, Illinois; and Allison (husband Michael) Hasler of Marion, Illinois.

He is also survived by his sister, Sharon Trost of Chicago, Illinois; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law Scottie and Geraldine Clark of Newton, Illinois; 12 grandchildren

and 2 great grandchildren.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Margaret Maxon.