John Richard (Dick) Ronk
Last Updated on August 6, 2026 by Cass County Communication Network
John Richard (Dick) Ronk, 82, died on August 3, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.
Dick was born in Kokomo, IN, on September 5, 1943, to John E. and Martha Lee (Young) Ronk. A 1961 graduate of Galveston High School, he played baseball and basketball and ran track.
Shortly after graduation, he attended Ball State University and joined Stellite (now Haynes), where he worked as a machine repairman, retiring in 2002 after 40 years. He grew up in and attended the Galveston United Methodist Church.
Dick’s life was devoted to his three daughters, Kathy, Vicki, and Karen, whom he shared with his former wife, Susan Malicoat. He coached their Little League team (Mustangs) for 9 years and attended every event they participated in. Dick and his daughters shared a special bond that continued through adulthood, and they were a source of great joy to him. Dick lived a robust and adventurous life. He played both slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball. He traveled the world scuba diving in the Red Sea (Egypt), Belize, Guam, Truk Lagoon, the Caribbean, and the Galapagos. Other memorable trips included whitewater rafting in West Virginia. He loved golfing, gardening, fishing, bowling, and mowing his back forty.
Anyone who interacted with Dick for even a few moments quickly became aware of his lifelong love of the Chicago Bears. He loved Dick Butkus, Walter Payton, and Gale Sayers, the namesake of his beloved dog. Indiana basketball was another of Dick’s great passions, along with John Wayne’s films and Johnny Cash’s music.
As a Boy Scout, Dick achieved the Life rank. Members of his troop remained lifelong friends and met for monthly breakfasts. He also greatly enjoyed meeting up with longtime friends for Euchre Club (even though they never actually played euchre). No matter where Dick traveled, he always seemed to run into someone he knew. To him, there were no strangers – only people he hadn’t met yet.
Dick is survived by his three children: Kathy (Mike) Chenoweth of Galveston; Vicki (Robert) Schlotter of Walton; and Karen (Matt) Ellis of Indianapolis.
He is also survived by his brothers, Dan (Beth) Ronk & Roger (Kathy) Ronk; his cherished nieces and nephews; and family member Trudy Brehmer.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Patsie Ronk.
A celebration of Dick’s life will be held Saturday, August 15th, 2026 at 2:00 pm at United in Faith Church of Galveston, 515 South Maple Street, Galveston, IN. A gathering of friends and family will be held from 11:00 am until the service at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929, or Riley Children’s Foundation, PO Box 1787, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1787. Murray Weaver Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences can be shared at https://www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com.