Photo courtesy of Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth
Aug 29, 1936 - Jul 11, 2025
Was my teacher in 8th grade. Always caught me when I wasn't doing what I was supposed to do. We had the cleanest blackboard and cleanest floors in the Frankenmuth school, thank you!!!
Gayle (Hammond) Ward
August 02, 2025 | Frankenmuth, MI | Teacher
Ron was a great administrator and he. Was my first principal as a first year teacher at the Main Street Middle School. After teaching four years in Frankenmuth I too became a school principal until my retirement fourteen years sgo. My thoughts and prayers are with the family today as you celebrate his wonderful life!
Thomas Matuszewski
July 18, 2025 | Bay City, MI | Coworker
Ron was a very key figure in our young professional lives, having hired both of us (two years apart) as rookies to teach in the Frankenmuth School District. He was a great mentor and a good friend during the brief time we taught and lived in the community. His advice was solid and his kindness was appreciated. We often thought about him as John continued a career as both a middle school and elementary school principal and Mary continued as a teacher at those same levels. Ron had set a good...
Mary and John Skoglund
July 17, 2025 | Holland, MI | Coworker
To the Hildner family.. my sympathies.. your Father was my principal at middle school..
Cindy Stakolosa
July 17, 2025 | Frankenmuth, MI | Friend
Very sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. He just made the world a better place. May happy memories bring comfort.
Michael & Dawn Solinski
Michael & Dawn Solinski
July 17, 2025 | Birch Run, MI | Friend
Such a kind and thoughtful man. We are so sorry for the family’s loss.
April and John Dizonno
July 17, 2025 | Mesa, AZ | Neighbor
My deepest sympathy to all of Ron's family. Ron's family at St. Luke, Mesa, AZ will also be missing him. He and Donna were good examples to all of us as to how we should love one another.
Carol Schroeder
July 17, 2025 | Mesa, AZ | Friend
If it’s was an honor to call him friend.
Bill and Jan Fix
July 16, 2025 | Henderson Lake | Friend
Thinking of you especially, Erik
Many memories of good times.
Please accept condolences
Love John and Ann Knapp
Ann Knspp
July 16, 2025 | Alden, MI | Friend
Ronald A. HIldner
Frankenmuth, MI
Passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025, at his home; age 88 years. Ron was a life-long resident of Frankenmuth except for the 12 years he and his wife lived at Henderson Lake. Ron was born to the late Arthur and Edna (Trinklein) Hildner. He attended high school in Frankenmuth the first two years and graduated from Saginaw Arthur Hill High School in 1954, lettering in baseball all 4 years. Growing up on a small farm, his father encouraged him to continue his education. He attended Bay City Junior College for two years where he lettered in track both years and completed his Bachelor’s Degree at Central Michigan University in 1958. After signing a teaching contract in the Frankenmuth School District, he began his teaching career in September 1958. He continued his education by earning a Master’s Degree in education from CMU in 1965.
Ron continued to advance by becoming principal of the Main Street Middle School in 1969 and was principal of the E.F Rittmueller Middle School when it opened in 1979. He retired in 1987 after serving the district for 29 years.
Ron was also active in the community serving as a charter member of the newly organized Frankenmuth Jaycees and later as a member of the Frankenmuth Lions Club. He also served many years as a member of the Civic Events Council and served as its president in 1978 and as chairman of the Bavarian Festival. He was also active in his church serving as secretary to the church council at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church and then served on the council at Christ Lutheran in Birch Run after his marriage to his beloved wife, Donna. They then became charter members of St. Martin Lutheran Church where he served as head elder for several years.
Ron was also an avid baseball and softball player for many years and was inducted into the Frankenmuth Softball Hall of Fame in 2023. He also enjoyed golf, especially at his winter home in Mesa, Arizona. He also enjoyed card games and became quite adept at the game of bridge. Ron also was a member of the Fountain of the Sun Country Club in Mesa and served on its Board of Directors. He also sang in the FOS chorus for a number of years and attended St. Luke Lutheran Church in Mesa where he was active as an associate member by singing in the choir, reading scripture lessons, serving as a greeter and narrating several music performances.
Ron leaves to cherish his memory the mother of his children, Elinor (Warsaw) Hildner and his 3 sons: Gregory (Bridget) Hildner of Vassar, MI, David (friend Janelle Ruhland) Hildner of Frankenmuth, MI, and Erik (Casie) Hildner of Thompson’s Station, TN. He also leaves a daughter-in-law Phyllis (Horace) Allen, a stepsister Pauline (David) Luhring, sister-in-law Karen Rummel and 9 grandchildren: Christy Adomeit (Nick) Pratt, Andrew, Alexander, and Adam (fiancée Savannah Comstock) Hildner, Jordan (Danny) Reinbold, Mason (Grant) Leach, Reese (friend Nick Fisher) Hildner, Keegan (Hayley) Hildner, and Evan (Alexa) Hildner. He also leaves 10 great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved wife, Donna, stepson Kirk Adomeit, sister-in-law JoAnne Foster, brother-in-law Rodger Foster, niece Linda Foster, and daughter-in-law Amie Hildner.
Funeral service will take place on Friday, July 18, 2025 with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. at St. Martin Lutheran Church, 10995 Canada Rd. Birch Run. Burial to follow in Birch Run Township Cemetery. Ron’s family will receive visitors at Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin St. on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Martin Lutheran Church Endowment Fund or The Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch in Fargo, North Dakota.
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