Name: Visitation for Ronald C. Michaelson
Start: 2022-03-06T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-03-06T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Larson-Nelson Funeral Home - South St.

Ronald C. Michaelson
Born: June 15, 1953
Died: February 25, 2022
Ronald C. Michaelson, age 68 of both Surprise, AZ and Washington, IL formerly of Plano, IL passed away, surrounded by his loving family on Friday, February 25, 2022. He was born in Aurora, IL on June 15, 1953 the son of Arthur Gerald "Jerry" and Virginia (Swanson) Michaelson.
Ron was united in marriage on January 29, 1977 to Susan Stevenson and they spent the next 45 years happily together. Ron was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle who will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.
Ron retired from Caterpillar, Inc. in 2013 after 42 years of service. He began his career as a wash tank operator in Montgomery, IL. While working, raising a family, and serving as a Sunday School teacher and elder at Plano Bible Church, Ron earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Aurora University. He was relocated to San Diego, CA and later Peoria, IL as an IT Manager. In retirement, Ron devoted more time to his hobbies of woodworking and golfing.
Ron is survived by his wife, Sue Michaelson of Washington, IL; his five children, Laura (Shawn) Boyd of Cary, NC, Douglas (Stephanie) Michaelson of Waxhaw, NC, Thomas Michaelson of Sandwich, IL, Bethany (Victor) Mendez of Plano, IL and Katie (Michael) Long of Lakeside, CA; his nine grandchildren, Savannah, Donovan and Brooklyn Boyd, Sara, Jack and Leah Michaelson, Kane and Nico Mendez, and Ezekiel Long; his mother, Virginia Michaelson of Mountain Home, AR; his siblings, Brian Michaelson of Alma Center, WI and Trinette (Duane) Warren of Clermont, FL; also several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Michaelson; and his infant son, Jered Michaelson.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, March 7, 2022 at the Nelson Funeral Home, 1010 West South Street, Plano, IL. Interment will follow in the Little Rock Township Cemetery in Plano, IL.
Friends may visit from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at the Funeral Home in Plano, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society, Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix, AZ or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Homes & Crematory, www.NelsonFuneralHomes.com or (630) 552-7211.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Kendall County Now on Mar. 3, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Michaelson

Sponsored by Larson-Nelson Funeral Home - South St..

8 Entries

Lisa and Bob Pfohl

March 7, 2022

Dear Sue,

Bob and I are so saddened to hear the news of Ron's passing. He was such a kind and gentle man. Bob really enjoyed working for/with Ron. We so enjoyed our time together with you and Ron, playing cards, bowling and golfng. May you find comfort in your memories and know we are praying for you and your family during this difficult time.

Lisa and Bob Pfohl

Andrew Ulavege

March 5, 2022

I was deeply shocked at Ron's passing. We played golf together at Quail Meadows. Ron was a great person with a great sense of humor. Ron will be missed but not forgotten.

Bryant Brace

March 2, 2022

Mrs. Michaelson and family, I would like you to know that the years I worked with or for your Husband/Father were some of the best. He was a good person to work with and work for. While he usually wore his "serious" look, when he smiled or laughed, it could light up a room. I am sorry for your loss and I hope that, in retirement, he was able to enjoy his time with all of you. I know that he was a proud father and grandfather and that he loved his wife. Take care and may God bless all of you and help you through this difficult time.

Paula Zhang

March 2, 2022

RIP Ron. The family will be in my thoughts.

Steve Porter

March 2, 2022

Sue,

Very sorry to hear about Ron. He was a good person, athlete and team mate. I wrote this about the Plano golf team:

Really appreciated your recent article about PHS Golf. It conjured up many memories of long ago. It was nice of you to note that we competed against the whole state (with no class distinctions at that time).

I don´t have any photos (other than what are in the yearbooks), but I do have a couple of anecdotes about Plano golf during my time (springs of 1968 - 1971).

In 1969 Plano beat Dekalb Varsity in a dual meet at Dekalb´s home course (Kishwaukee Country Club), led by Raymond Gorzney, Bill Cooper and Ron Michaelson (sophomores at the time).

PHS won the 1970 conference championship at Edgebrook, taking 3 of 4 top individual spots.

In 1971, Bill Cooper was briefly demoted from #2 to #3 for missing practice. He had spent the previous week (spring break) playing snow-free golf with his family in Mississippi (probably 36 holes a day). He was better prepared than anyone else on return home.

The 1971 conference championship was to be held at Cog Hill. Several of us had never played there so most of the team skipped school one day (thinking it was the right thing to do) and traveled to Cog Hill for a practice round (I think the whole thing was my idea). Our school subsequently kept us off the course for a dual meet with Sandwich. I think that it was the only dual meet Plano lost that year. It was worth it considering that we won conference a few days later.

We won the 1971 district at Sycamore with a team score of 308 (average of 74 per person). Second place was 320. I think three of us finished in the top 10 (I wasn't one of them).

The 1971 Sectional meet was held at Dixon Country Club. This time we were driven to Dixon by Coach Ken Ryder (the late Ken Ryder was a great man and excellent history teacher) on what was then an officially sanctioned senior skip day. On arrival at Dixon we unfortunately learned that that morning was lady´s day. Coach Ryder offered to drive anyone the 60 miles back to Plano for the skip day party, and drive anyone who wanted 60 miles back to Dixon for a practice round. I was the only one to take up the return trip offer. I had my practice round and missed the party.

At the sectional I had the worst round of anyone on the team. Raymond placed second by winning a playoff on the first hole.

Raymond Gorzney and Bill Cooper were terrific athletes and were definitely the best golfers on the team. The rest of us rode their coattails. I don't think either one of them ever had a bad day; always cool and calm, no matter the weather (best noted by coach Larry Smith at the golf banquet in 1969. The 1969 conference championship was marked by snow, wind and temperatures in the 30´s).

But we would have gone nowhere without Ron and Ken. Ken also participated in baseball and track during the spring, while Ron played baseball. They didn't have a lot of time to practice golf but didn't seem to need to. I wonder if Ken holds the record for most varsity letters (was it 10?).

One of my best memories of 1971 (or 1970?) golf was a dual meet at Oswego. It came down to the last group and the last hole. Ron walked up to the green and noticed that it was surrounded by a silent crowd of coaches and members of both teams eyeing his 10 foot putt. He knew what was up, said so, and sank the putt giving Plano the win.

Phil Black

March 2, 2022

Ron was my manager for a few years. I have so many fond memories; from coaching to accolades. I reminisce of the banter of the "3 Amigos" when in Cat building AD. See you soon, Ron!

Holly LeCocq

March 1, 2022

Sue my friend, I pray for u and ur family . Ron´s obituary was a wonderful tribute to life. U two have a wonderful family. What a blessing. John and I r in Florida until April. So sorry

Ken & Lisa Gilliam

March 1, 2022

Our hearts go out to Sue, their kids, grandkids & Ginny. We have many fond memories of Ron at PBC. He had a heart for the Lord teaching & serving others. His family are following in his footsteps & are a testimony to his faithfulness. He always had a smile & a joyful attitude & could make you laugh. We´re trusting God to hold his family close. Praying for you all with much love, The Gilliam Family

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