RONALD MCKEE

Ronald G. McKee May 12, 1933 - Nov. 6, 2014 SOUTH BEND - Ronald Gene McKee, 81, of South Bend, went home to be with The Lord November 6, 2014. He passed away peacefully at the Center for Hospice Care. He was born May 12, 1933, in Terre Haute, IN, to Thelma and Carl McKee.

He earned his Bachelor and Master's degrees from Indiana State University. As a member of the U.S. Navy he was stationed in Japan for a year. Ron later earned a 2nd Master's Degree from the University of Notre Dame.

He taught math for 36 years in the South Bend School Corporation at Nuner Junior High School and John Adams High School.

Ron mentored hundreds of young people serving as Nuner School's summer playground director for many years. After retirement from the school corporation, he taught adult education and math at IUSB.

Ron married his best friend and love of his life, Ethlynne, on September 12, 1953. They spent each day loving and supporting each other through all of life's unexpected turns. Together they enjoyed traveling, being with friends, playing games (he was always the scorekeeper) but most of all cherishing the moments with their family. In what little time Ron took for himself, he enjoyed reading, fishing, tinkering around in his basement, teaching himself home improvement trades, and cheering on his Fighting Irish and Chicago Bears.

Ronald was preceded in death by his mother and father, and his sister, Alice Marie.

He is survived by his wife, Ethlynne (Faubion); brother, Carl (Betty) McKee of Terre Haute, IN; children, Greg (Sharon) McKee of Bryant, Arkansas, Julie (Dave) Shinevar of Laporte, IN, and Brian (Tracy) McKee of South Bend, IN; grandchildren, Randi (Joe) Gormong of Terre Haute, IN, Jill (Chuck) Carnes of Rockford, MI, Steven McKee of Little Rock, AR, Mandy McKee of Longmont, CO, and Kelsey Davis of Little Rock, AR; and great-grandbabies who were the twinkle in his eyes, Rachel, Madelyn, Rebekah, Amelia, Kaytee, Colin, Brandon and Hadley.

His legacy will live on in this wonderful family, for which he laid a solid foundation. He was a man who led by example, loved unconditionally and exemplified the nature of Christ.

The family would like to thank the staff at Center For Hospice Care for making Ron's last days comfortable for both him and the entire family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 11, 2014, at the First Brethren Church, 4909 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, IN. Military graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday at the Palmer Funeral Home-Guisinger Chapel, 3718 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN, and one hour prior on Tuesday at church. Contributions in memory of Ronald G. McKee may be offered to Hospice Foundation, 501 Comfort Place, Mishawaka, IN 46545; or First Brethren Church, 4909 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, IN 46614. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.