Dr. Eronico P. "Ronnie" Javellana Md

Dr. Eronico P. Javellana, MD
"Ronnie"
Dr. Eronico P. Javellana, affectionately known as Ronnie, passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on March 21, 2025, at 6 p.m., surrounded by his loving family. His journey to the arms of his Lord and Savior came after a long and courageous battle with health complications following a hospitalization that began in January with sepsis caused by pneumonia. His devoted wife, Varlin, was by his side through it all, offering unwavering love and support. Ronnie's final days were spent in hospice, in keeping with his wishes, and with his family gathered around him, his passing was a testament to the impact he had on everyone he met.
Born on October 16, 1941, in Ilog, Iloilo, Philippines, Ronnie was the youngest of thirteen children born to Numeriano and Leonor Javellana. Growing up in a family full of lawyers, bankers, educators, engineers, and professionals, he felt a strong calling to help others, even at a young age. In an underserved community where medical care was scarce, Ronnie knew from early on that he would be the one to make a difference.
His educational journey was remarkable. Ronnie graduated as Class Valedictorian from Notre Dame High School in 1958 with a near-perfect GPA of 99.99 (apparently they were not allowed to grant the perfect 100 that he truly achieved). He continued his studies at the University of Santo Tomas, earning his pre-med degree in 1961 and later his medical degree in 1965, becoming the first physician in his family. He served his externship at the Philippine General Hospital, laying the foundation for a lifelong dedication to healing.
In 1963, he met the love of his life, Valentina ("Varlin"), and after a year of friendship, their bond blossomed into love. They married on December 19, 1966, and within days, they left the Philippines behind to start a new life in the United States, seeking better opportunities for themselves and their growing family. Ronnie's determination to provide for his family and fulfill his mission to help others was the driving force behind his many sacrifices.
After years of training and serving as a physician across various hospitals, he and Varlin finally found their calling in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where Ronnie became an essential part of the Helen Newberry Joy Hospital team. There, he served as an ER physician, general practitioner, and Chief of Staff until 1987. It was here that he truly found his niche-tending to patients of all ages and backgrounds with boundless compassion and devotion. Ronnie and Varlin concurrently started a private practice where she took care of the business and he took care of the patients. If you were to ask him what kind of doctor he was, his answer would be an emphatic but simple "I'm a FAMILY physician--I take care of EVERYTHING a family would need from birth onward."
In 1987, he and his family moved to Bad Axe, where Ronnie continued to serve the community at Huron Memorial Hospital and in private practice. In 1998, at the age of 57, he retired (the first time) to spend more time with his wife who had just struggled to overcome breast cancer and to allow for more time for healing--both for his wife and his ailing back. But his love for healing was so great that even in retirement, after two back surgeries, he returned to work as a locum tenens physician in 2003. His love for helping others never waned, and in 2004, he and Varlin launched a unique house call service that allowed him to provide personalized care to patients in the comfort of their own homes.
Feeling like he had more to give, he and his wife moved back to the Upper Peninsula to serve full-time at the Tribal Clinic in Sault Sainte Marie from 2006 to 2016. Ronnie was deeply respected for his tireless work ethic (even returning to work days after a coronary stent) and devotion to his patients. Even in his later years, Ronnie was known for his unwavering commitment to others, making a difference in countless lives. In 2016, he retired for the final time at age 75.
Ronnie's dedication to his calling did not stop at his formal medical practice. He worked tirelessly, not only healing patients but also touching lives beyond his professional capacity. From visiting the Philippines to help family and strangers alike, to diagnosing and treating various ailments, he became a lifeline for many, including saving the lives of his own mother and mother-in-law. He was a pediatrician, obstetrician, surgeon, psychiatrist, orthopedist, dermatologist and more-serving anyone in need, regardless of their ability to pay. They just don't make them that way anymore.
Ronnie was a man of great warmth, humor, and humility. He loved simple pleasures: the color brown for its understated calmness (like him), vanilla ice cream for its versatility (like him) and fishing for its peaceful and exciting moments. His love of music, especially crooners and Tom Jones, filled his home with joy, as did his family traditions, like teaching his children and grandchildren to play poker and chess. With his children, he created his adult rite of passage by bringing each child at age 21 to a gambling mecca to try their hand. And win or loss, he made sure to respond with a childlike giggle. He just enjoyed the game. A great lesson for life, really.
A true Filipino, his favorite foods were adobo, longanisa, leche flan and pineapple pie. He loved movies and reading. He was a great writer who could evoke heartfelt emotion with his poignant turn of phrase. He was a walking dictionary with a photographic memory.
As a devout Catholic, Ronnie's faith was the bedrock of his life. He was deeply involved in his community, serving as a Eucharistic minister and a Knight of Columbus. He took immense pride in becoming an American citizen and delivered a moving speech at his naturalization ceremony in 1986, reflecting the perseverance, hope, and faith that had guided him through his life.
Above all, Ronnie was a loving husband of 58 years, devoted father, and proud grandfather. His family was his world, and he worked tirelessly to provide them with everything he never had growing up. His legacy is one of selflessness, generosity, and love, and his memory will live on in the hearts of all those he touched.
He is survived by his wife, Valentina, and their three children: Eileen D. Javellana MD (Brian P. Gay MD) of Gainesville, Georgia, Edwin B. Javellana of Farmington Hills, and Eydie J. Javellana (Matthew B. Erdey) of Troy. His legacy continues with his grandchildren: Cameron M.J. Gay, Samantha P.J. Gay, Vanessa K.J. Gay, Alyssa C.J. Gay, Zachary M. Erdey, Marek B. Javellana, Mallory S. Javellana, and Brooke A. Erdey. He is also survived by his elder brothers, Jose P. Javellana and Elpidio P. Javellana in the Philippines, along with over sixty nephews and nieces, and many "adopted" children who called him Tito because he made them feel like family.
In honor of Ronnie's life and legacy, his family requests that you celebrate his memory in vibrant, joyful colors (black pants or skirts are allowed). Brown, being his favorite color, will always be welcome. They also ask that you honor Ronnie by giving a little of yourself to serve others in need as he had.
Ronnie's life was a testament to the power of faith, love, and service. He gave of himself in ways that only those with the most generous hearts can understand, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Matthew 11: 28-30
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
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