Obituary of Ronald James Pleune

Ronald James Pleune of Sanford fell asleep in death peacefully on October 9, 2023, at the Medilodge of Midland at the age of 82.  He was born December 14, 1940, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from Central High School in 1959 and married Patricia Lorraine Chapman on the 8th of August. They had three children and spent the greater part of their lives together.

Ron loved riding motorcycles and passed that down to all in his family. He loved music, playing the harmonica, and had a great sense of humor.  Ron and Pat enjoyed camping, taking family vacations, and playing cribbage. They were invited and played together in the orchestra at a convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Pat played the alto saxophone and Ron played the cornet. Ron also had the privilege of conducting the orchestra at a convention in Sault Ste. Marie. 

Ron was a mechanic at the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Grand Rapids before moving to Rogers City and Alpena. He worked as the service manager at Burt Watson Chevrolet in Freeland and at Pepsi. Later in life, he worked in the shoe repair shop at Meijer and then as a cobbler at Shorty’s Shoe Repair in downtown Midland.  He attended the Midland North Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. He was happy that Jehovah God would remember him in the resurrection. He had strong faith and was a loyal servant to the end. He loved telling people about jw.org where we can learn about the hope for the future that is found in God's Word the Bible. 

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; children, James (Jackie) Pleune, Julie Guzman, and Jeffery (Christine) Pleune; grandchildren, James Pleune, Janelle (Doug) Haner, Mia Nani (Jalonni) Sweet, and Emilio Guzman; great-grandson, Joshua Pleune; great-granddaughters, Jaylyn and Abigail Pleune, and Aliyah and Eliana Sweet; his brother, Scott (Deb) Waldron; best buddy, Bruce (Myrna) Chapman; brother-in-law, Jim Bettys, dear sisters, Victoria Smith and Nancy (Mike) Hess; along with many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Jeannette Waldron and his sister Rebecca Bettys of Cedar Springs. 

Honoring Ron’s wishes, contributions may be made to donate.jw.org.  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 2 pm, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2990 Wheeler Street, Midland, Michigan 48642.  Please contact Tyler Chase for the Zoom login information by text at 989-859-6656. 

To send a message to the family, sign the guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.