Ronald Bertrand

CREAL SPRINGS -- Ronald L. Bertrand, 66, passed away home Friday, May 6, 2011, at home.

He was born Aug. 28, 1944, in Beaumont, Texas, the son of the late Helen and John Bertrand. He was the second of four siblings.

A memorial service will be at 7 p.m. today for Ron at Blue Funeral Home in Marion. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.

After graduating from South Park High School in 1963, Ron and some friends headed for Los Angeles. After six or seven months, the smog got the best of him, so he joined the U. S. Air Force.

He served in the U.S. Air Force for four years. After his discharge, he was employed by the VA Hospital and held various supervisory jobs around the country, retiring in 1995 from VA Medical Center in Marion.

Ron is survived by his wife of 33 years, Debra (O'Neill) Bertrand, his daughters and sons-in-law, Melynda and Brad Rodrigue, and Beki and Frank Scott of Houma, La.; granddaughters, Hailey and Abigail Rodrigue also of Houma, La.; brothers, Daryl Bertrand and his wife, Paula of Beaumont, Texas, and John R. Bertrand and his wife, Becky of Woodville, Texas, and sister, Dolores Bertrand of Houston.

Ron loved playing guitar, singing and writing songs. He continued this love his whole adult life and made many friends around the country who shared his love of music. After taking a trip to Belize, he was inspired by the islands and began GumboLimbo Productions. He has composed numerous songs and CD's and created many different novelty items that expressed the easy-going life of the islands. Ron met many people and immediately established long-standing friendships. He continued to maintain these relationships even after leaving the island and his music could be heard on local Belizean and Trop-Rock radio stations. His music made the top 10 on Radio JimmyDreamz as well as Rock The Phlock Anthology CD, which was produced for a cancer benefit called "Angels in Tropical Shirts."

Ron continued the lifestyle of "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems" and became active with the local Southern Illinois Parrot Head Club helping local charities. He recently returned from a second trip to Belize where he joined others in an effort to provide school supplies to the underserved children in Belize. He traveled with a group called Bookbag Santa.

Ron also loved to ride his motorcycle and was a very active member of Roadrunners Motorcycle Group and attended numerous fundraisers.

Ron loved life and lived it to the fullest. His love of life was evidenced in everything he did from boating, motorcycle riding, taking lessons to fly powered parachutes, playing music and entertaining. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers please send a donation in his name to American Heart Association or Wounded Warriors Project. Envelopes are available at the funeral home, or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, P.O. Box 411, Marion, IL 62959.

To view this obituary and sign the register book, visit bluefuneralhome.com.