Photo courtesy of Merritt Funeral Home
Mendota, Illinois
Jul 19, 1940 – Jul 31, 2020 (Age 80)
Ronald R. Vaessen, 80, of Sublette, passed away July 31, 2020 at KSB Hospital, Dixon after a six month illness, with his wife and children at his side.
Ronald was born on July 19, 1940 in Spring Valley to Ralph and Della (Pachankis) Vaessen. Ron was a lifelong resident of Sublette.
Blessed to have had 54 1/2 years of marriage, he married Ruth Ann Schwemlein on October 16, 1965 in Holy Cross Church, Mendota.
Ron was a 1958 Graduate of St. Bede Academy. He worked for Vaessen Bros. Chevrolet for over 44 years as a mechanic and later as a Part Manager. He worked part time there after he retired and also at Vaessen Implement Repair as a parts runner.
He served in U.S. Army Reserves from 1962 -1968. He was a volunteer on the Sublette Fire Dept for 33 years, and was a Lieutenant part of that time. He was a Village Trustee on the Sublette Village Board for 18 years. He was a lifetime member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and sang in choir for over 50 years. He was a member of JFK Council Knights of Columbus, Mendota.
Ron liked to fix things, do photography and videoing and had interest in trains. He and his wife enjoyed the hobby of railfanning, and this was included in their travels to different states.
Many clerks and waitresses will remember him by his joke: Why is a cat on a beach so much like Christmas.........Sandy Claws!
Ron was a loving husband, Father and Grandpa. He is survived by his wife Ruth Ann, daughter, Julie (Troy) Bryden of Machesney Park; son, Jared (Laura) Vaessen of Mark; grandchildren, Jenna Bryden, Luke and Chase Vaessen and brother, Neal Vaessen of Sublette.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-laws James Schwemlein and Henry Schwemlein and sister-in-law, Donna Vaessen
Due to Covid 19 restrictions Mass of Christian Burial will be private family only at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday August 5, 2020 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Sublette with Father Randy Fronek officiating. Public visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. in the church. A public burial will follow after Mass in St Mary’s Cemetery, Sublette with military rites by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Masks and social distancing are required by the family. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is handling arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Sublette Fire Department, Union Depot Railroad Museum or the donor’s choice.
Read MoreSo sorry to see Ronald´s passing. Got to know Ron and Ruth at Rochelle Railroad Park. I don´t frequent the park as much as I used to. Tonight I came and something told me search for last name Vaessen. I did so and found the obituary. Sorry to see it almost one year later! He will be missed!
Matthew Spinello
July 05, 2021 | Friend
To family of Ron Vaessen, we are so sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers.
Doug and Sue Aughenbaugh
August 11, 2020 | Mendota, IL | Friend
will miss the great pictures he took of our group at Ziggies and his jokes. May he rest in peace. Prayers for the family to heal.
edna (Steele) Inness
August 05, 2020 | Mendota, IL | Friend
Mr Vaessen was quite an individual, he had such a strong faith and a heart of gold! What we remember most is how he made our kids smile with his “ unique car horn” .... Our sympathy and prayers go out to all of you❤ Thank you for allowing me to care for him during his time in the hospital. He loved his family, was so proud of ALL of you!
Denise Buckett
August 04, 2020 | Sublette, IL | Acquaintance
Uncle Ron was one of the funniest people to be around at family reunions or just visiting. He also knew how to do a lot of things too, mechanical or otherwise. I connected with him talking about history, especially local history, of the many small towns in and around Mendota and Sublette. He would be there with his family in your time of need. It's going to be sad not to see and hear Uncle Ron, but the many memories he created in his time on this earth should not be forgotten. It never...
Christopher Schwemlein
August 04, 2020 | Sandwich, IL | Family
Ron was a fellow Alum of the St. Bede Class of 1958 and will be missed at our future Class reunions. The Byvik Family sends their sincere condolences to Ron's family.
Charles Byvik
August 04, 2020 | Alexandria, VA | Classmate
Remembered By
Duane Milhorn
August 04, 2020 | Friend
I was so very saddened to learn of Mr. Vaessen's passing. Although I didn't know him a long time I always thoroughly enjoyed visiting with him at the Rochelle Railroad Park when I encountered He and his wife. He was a very pleasant and knowledgeable fellow and I was pleased to count him among my friends. My deepest condolences to the family...
George Casford
August 03, 2020 | Granville, IL | Friend
So sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. I only met him a few times but he was so wonderful at my father’s (John Pachankis) his cousin, burial in Spring Valley taking videos and pictures that I still treasure.
I will keep him and his family in my prayers.
Jean Pachankis Augustin
August 03, 2020 | New Orleans, LA | Family
