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Ronald Vaessen Obituary
Born: July 19, 1940; Spring Valley
Died: July 31, 2020; Dixon
SUBLETTE – Ronald R. Vaessen, 80, of Sublette passed away July 31 at KSB Hospital in Dixon after a 6-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 Oct. 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 to 1968. He was a volunteer on the Sublette Fire Department 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; brothers-in-law, James Schwemlein and Henry Schwemlein; and sister-in-law, Donna Vaessen.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, Mass of Christian Burial will be private for family only at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Sublette, with Father Randy Fronek officiating. Public visitation will be from 9 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.
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Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Vaessen
Sponsored by Merritt Funeral Home.
Matthew Spinello
July 5, 2021
So 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!
Doug and Sue Aughenbaugh
August 11, 2020
To family of Ron Vaessen, we are so sorry for your loss. You are in our prayers.
edna (Steele) Inness
August 5, 2020
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.
Denise Buckett
August 4, 2020
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!
Christopher Schwemlein
August 4, 2020
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 took a long time for a stranger to warm up to Ron's wit and humor. I will surely miss him having fun playing sounds from his car as he would back out of my parents driveway after a visit. Uncle Ron, I hope they have ice cream cones with curly q tops on them in Heaven!
Charles Byvik
August 4, 2020
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.
George Casford
August 3, 2020
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...
Jean Pachankis Augustin
August 3, 2020
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.
Jim Hoth
August 3, 2020
Ron will be missed. I enjoyed talking with him about our shared interest in cars & trains. Rochelle won't be the same without him. God bless.
David Anderson
August 3, 2020
I had the pleasure of meeting Ron and Ruth Ann at the IL Waterway Visitors Center by Starved Rock. Ron & Ruth Ann are such good people to talk with and they would keep me company at my photography booth at the Waterway. Ron was always showing me his pictures of different things and sharing neat things that he enjoyed. He always told us funny jokes. I always loved his unique personality and I loved it when he would entertain me with different music and sounds on the incredible horn on his car. He will be truly missed. My prayers are with him and his family.
patricia richardson
August 3, 2020
So sorry for Rons passing I will always remember his silly wave was great living right next door for the 4 years we lived there.
Denise Flores
August 2, 2020
Praying for you all as you go through this time of sorrow. Uncle Ron was a funny guy, wonderful provider as a husband and father. It was always a pleasure to visit with him at family functions. He is now telling jokes with his family in heaven. May the Holy Spirit provide comfort and peace to my Aunt Ruth Ann, cousins Julie and Jared, and his brother Neal. Rest now my dear uncle Ron.
Tim Kennedy
August 2, 2020
Great man , fun to visit with .
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