Obituary of Ronald E. Gibson

Jefferson - Ronald (Ron) E. Gibson, 77, of Jefferson passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 19, 2017, after numerous health issues over the past two years. Ron was born on June 23, 1939 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, the son of Bernard Henry and Gladys Virginia (nee Mitts) Gibson. He married Anna Leander on October 6, 1964, in Newport, Rhode Island. Ronald enjoyed life, his children, his grandchildren, and his very large family. He loved his wife, Anna, for over 50 years. He was a talented carpenter and craftsman and he enjoyed fishing. Ron was a proud member of the United States Marine Corps, enlisting immediately after high school. He stayed active as a Marine throughout his life. He would always say, "Once a Marine, always a Marine." Ron also had a special place in his heart for children, taking much pride in his administration of the Ashtabula County "Toys for Tots" program he ran for many years with the help of his wife, Anna. He believed that every child should have a toy at Christmas. Ron was especially close to his three brothers and two sisters. Ron worked for Tartan Marine building cabinets for boats and for the Jefferson Area Local Schools as a custodian at Rock Creek Elementary School. Ron wasn't a wealthy man, but he always found a way to help others. At Rock Creek Elementary, he always tried to find a way to reach the students who were the hardest to reach. Ron was not much of a traveler. He enjoyed the simple life of small town Ohio. He did, however, enjoy the yearly family trip to Newport, where there was always a bed at the family homestead and where he first met his wife, Anna. Ron will be missed, but more importantly, he will be remembered. Ron is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Anna Gibson; sons, Ron(Chris) Gibson, of Jefferson and Joseph (Rachelle) Gibson, of Columbus; daughter, Julie (Jim) Wright of Champion; nephew, Gerard (Kathy) Beattie of Madison; nieces, Kathleen (Catherine Barrett Beattie) Beattie of Newport, RI; grandchildren, Ron and Kevin Gibson of Jefferson, Louis, Chloe, and Gus Gibson of Columbus, and Samuel, Savanna, Aiden and Vincent Wright all of Champion; brother, Kenneth Gibson of Holiday, Florida; sisters, Nancy (Al) Mayher of Willoughby, and Bernadine Miller of Eastlake; sisters-in-law Sevilla Gibson of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Marie Gibson of Aurora, Ohio; and many loving nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Vincent and Richard Gibson. A celebration of life will be held, Friday, March 24, 2017 at 12:00 P.M., at The Church of Jesus Christ, 2643 S. Ridge Road (Rt. 84), Painesville, Ohio 44077, with Pastor Al Mayher officiating. Friends and family will gather at the church on Friday from 11 AM until the time of the services at 12 Noon. A reception will be held immediately after the service at the Red Creek Grill in Painesville. Private inurnment will take place at Oakdale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Ron may be given to Bella Care Hospice, 5000 Rockside Rd., Ste 150, Independence, OH 44131.