Ronald W. "Ron" Mowry

SOUTH AUBURN — Ronald "Ron" W. Mowry, 86, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2016, with family at his bedside. He resided at the Golden Living Center in Tunkhannock for the past six years. His loving wife, Lois, preceded him in death in 2007.

Born on July 3, 1930, Ron was the son of Rex and Vera (Tewksbury) Mowry. He resided in South Auburn for 80 years. After graduation from Meshoppen High School, he married his fifth-grade sweetheart, Lois. While raising his family, he enjoyed painting, carpentry and woodworking. Ron spent a year in Korea with the U.S. Army serving as a chaplain's assistant and upon return home, he operated a saw mill and worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier and a postal clerk until his retirement.

Ron was an 80-year member of the South Auburn Grange, where he donated much of his time to various offices and community improvement. He was nominated State Granger of the Year, a title of which he took great pride. Ron also served on multiple committees including scholarship, cemetery and book committees. He was instrumental in authoring the history of the United Methodist Church of Meshoppen and the history of the Auburn and Meshoppen schools.

Ronald had a love for the Lord and his country. He was a member of the American Legion, Black Walnut, Post 510. He attended the Meshoppen United Methodist Church and was a choir member. He had a beautiful tenor voice and sang with his brothers and was one of the original "Belltones," a local gospel group.

His hobbies included playing the piano, photography and traveling with his wife, Lois, and friends, Don and Gail James. Ron also loved to watch his grandchildren's sporting events, school plays and marathon dance recitals. He was a very special dad, grandpa, poppy, brother, uncle and friend, all of whom will miss his smile and infectious laugh.

Besides his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by a sister, Eloise; brothers, Kenneth and Duane; a son, Mark; and a grandson, Jeremy.

Survivors include his children, Rhonda Moore and husband, George, of Allentown, Larry Mowry and wife, Beth, and Jane Murphy and husband, Mike, of South Auburn, and Jay Mowry and wife, Vicky, of Middleburg, Florida; grandchildren, Chris, Renee, Jenny, Becki, Danielle, Ang, Joel, Brittany, and Kyle; 17 great-grandchildren, with two more due in October; three brothers, Paul, Elston and George Mowry; multiple in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ron's family would like to thank the entire staff at Golden Living for their loving care over the past six years and our special angel, Becca, for keeping an extra eye on "Grandpa Mowry."

Funeral services for Ron will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 18, 2016, from the Sheldon Funeral Home, state Route 6, Meshoppen. A graveside service with Military Honors will follow at the South Auburn Cemetery. Graveside military services will be conducted by the members of the Rought Hall Post No. 510, the Dennis Strong Post No. 457 and the Endless Mountains Post No. 3583. Family and friends may call 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to service Monday.

Online condolences may be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Meshoppen United Methodist Church, PO Box 159, Meshoppen, PA 18630, or Mapleridge Ranch, 2857 Montrose Turnpike, Owego, NY, or the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave, 7th floor, New York, NY. 10001.