Ronald J. Spandet Sr., 72, of Pinellas Park, Florida, formerly of Ottawa, passed away Friday, June 10, 2016 at Suncoast Hospice in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 on Friday, June 17, 2016 at St. Patrick’s Church with Msgr. Philip Halfacre officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at Ottawa Funeral Home with Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree members in attendance. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park.
Ronald was born September 16, 1943 in Streator, Illinois to Arnold and Rosemary (Canale) Spandet. He married Jerilynn E. Negray November 19, 1960 at St. Michael of the Archangel Church, formerly St. Stephen’s Church, in Streator. He received his associates degree from IVCC and then his bachelors along with his masters degrees, and his certificate of administration from Northern Illinois University.
In 1972 he became a teacher for Ottawa Township High School. During his time at there, he taught world and U.S. history, political science, economics, and current events, and he coached football, basketball, and track. During his career at OTHS he served as division chair and then assistant principal, which he served for nine years. After his retirement from OTHS he joined the family at Marquette High School where he spent the last 10 years of his career at Marquette High School; retiring in 2010.
He was a member of St. Patrick’s Church in Ottawa, Holy Family Church in Florida, Knights of Columbus where he was also a Fourth Degree Knight, and Ottawa Sunrise Rotary. Ron was very strong in his Catholic Faith. While in Ottawa at St. Patrick’s Church, he was an Eucharistic Minister and a Liturgy Reader. He was on the decorating committee for Holy Week and one of the 12 for the Washing of the Feet. When he moved to Florida he, along with his wife, worked with Pre-Cana, was reader and Eucharist Minister to the home bound, sat on the Pastor’s Board, the School Board and was a member of the choir.
Ron was an avid golfer and looked forward to his buddies coming to Florida during the winter. He and his wife loved Walt Disney World, and always had annual passes. He especially loved going to the flower shows duplicating many of Disney’s flower beds around his own home. He always made sure that his yard was “floral ready” for his wife’s birthday on March 13th. Ron and his wife always followed the Chicago Bears and watched the games at the neighborhood Wing House with about 40 other Bear Fans all in their Bear jerseys. Ron’s other buddy is his little Maltese, Emma, who sat in his chair while he watched TV, something he rarely had time for before retiring. He also loved family gatherings and slipping dollars into the pockets of his great-grand babies.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jerilynn; one son, Ronald James Spandet Jr. of Wesley Chapel, FL.; seven grandchildren, Kristi Greer, Stephanie Spandet, Justin Spandet, Jeffrey Spandet, Scott Monterastelli, Jenni Keith-Hattalla, and Lauren Keith-Grumieaux; eleven great-grandchildren; and five siblings, Peter Spandet, Arnold (Cathy) Spandet, Carol Hartley, Carmelle (Carl) Haywood, and Martha Spandet.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Janet Sue Spandet; and one brother, Steve Spandet.
Pallbearers will be Ron Spandet Jr., Arthur Barth, Aaron Hartley, Andrew Hartley, Tim Negray, Brett Negray, Rich Webber, and Peter Spandet.
Memorials may be directed to Suncoast Hospice Empath, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760.
Ron has been laid to rest in the Garden of Prayer.
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