Ronald Edward "Ron" Illsley

Ron Illsley, born on August 26, 1956, in Key West, Florida, was welcomed into the rest of His Savior on October 19, 2025 after a five year journey with early onset Alzheimer's dementia.

A self-described "gentle soul", Ron was beloved by so many because he loved people so well with his warm and caring nature. He faithfully loved his wife, delighted in his children and grandchildren, and extended his friendship and support to many others in his community. The book of James says that true religion is "to look after orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27). Some of the people who gathered around Ron when he needed extra care were a testament to the love and care that he showed to them when they were in need.

Ron had a broad grin and a hearty laugh that he shared freely and unabashedly. He was notorious for his Dad jokes. He enjoyed meeting new people and learning about their lives, and he also treasured having deep conversations. He loved music. He put his whole heart into singing or playing the trumpet, guitar, or handbells. He was cheerful, genuine, thoughtful, welcoming, animated, and funny.

Although Ron had many admirable qualities, he readily admitted that he was a sinner in need of grace. When a Jewish woman sitting next to him on a flight once asked about Christians blaming Jews for putting Jesus on the cross, he testified by saying "I put Jesus on the cross, because of my sins."

Ron is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Jane Illsley, his son Steve Illsley and daughter-in-law Amy Lawton; his daughter Kirsten Glinke, son-in-law Rob Glinke, and grandchildren Noah, Ruth, Micah, and Helen Glinke; his daughter Megan Sateia, son-in-law Josh Sateia, and grandchildren Isabelle and Wesley Sateia; his son John Illsley, daughter-in-law Sarah Illsley, and grandchildren Annalise and Nathaniel Illsley; his unofficially but very intentionally adopted daughter Kelsey Burke Arrieta, son-in-law Daniel Arrieta, and granddaughter Avery Arrieta. He also leaves behind his sister Marilyn Wolf and brother-in-law Steve Wolf, and his sister-in-law Ruth Illsley. He was predeceased by his parents Joe and Helen Illsley and his brother Rick Illsley.

Ron grew up in Key West, Florida, where he attended Grace Lutheran Church and School. The church was started in his maternal grandparents' living room, and his mother taught at the school as a kindergarten teacher. Little "Ronny" was doted on by his parents, his grandfather who lived just up the street, and his two siblings who were ten and twelve years older.

Ron was proud to have graduated as a class of 1974 Conch from Key West High School where he played trumpet in the marching band and was voted best overall band member in his senior year. Ron's faith deepened after attending a youth event in high school. Ron attended college at Valparaiso University in Indiana where he met his bride-to-be Jane and earned a bachelor's degree in history. Coming from Key West, Ron had never seen snow before. He had only made paper snowflakes on 8x10 inch paper, so he was shocked to learn how small-and cold!-they were.

Ron and Jane married on August 20, 1977 at the start of their senior year. They lived off of their wedding gift money while they finished school. After graduating, Ron and Jane decided to serve as missionaries in Japan for two and a half years teaching English. On the plane ride to St. Louis where they would be cared for by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod during their time as missionaries they counted all the money they had left from their wedding to live off of. They had 68 cents. The mission field was both exciting and difficult for the newlyweds. Upon returning to the United States, Ron got a job teaching at Faith Lutheran School in Eustis, Florida, where his sister Marilyn lived at the time. His son Stephen and daughter Kirsten were born in 1982 and 1984, respectively.

In 1985 Ron got a call to teach and serve as the youth director at a Lutheran Church and School in Houston, Texas where his daughter Megan was born. At the end of the year the school was going to combine grades, so Ron needed to find a new job again.

Ron got a call to teach 7th grade at Trinity Lutheran School in Delray Beach, Florida. It did not take him long to realize that he was not very good at classroom management, so in 1987 he began selling life insurance with Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL), which later became Thrivent. Ron loved the puzzle of helping people decide how to deal with their finances. He playfully joked with people and loved on everyone. He felt deep pain when a client was hurt. In 1989, Ron's son John was born. Ron's children all attended Trinity Lutheran School where he served for a few years as Chairman of the School Board. He faithfully attended Trinity Lutheran Church where he led Bible studies, sang in the choir, played handbells, and played the trumpet for Christmas and Easter services.

In addition to their time as missionaries, Ron and Jane welcomed many foreign exchange students into their home. They loved meeting people with all different backgrounds and having meaningful conversations. At many Thrivent events their table was the loudest because they got people talking and laughing so much.

In 2005 Kelsey Burke came to live with the family. Kelsey was loved as daughter to Ron and Jane. They helped support her through college and law school. In 2001 Ron become a certified financial planner with Thrivent. His career lasted 33 years in all. The family celebrated his inauguration into the Thrivent Hall of Fame at a special ceremony in 2017.

Ron will be dearly missed by all who loved him. He has left a lasting impact on many lives that will be felt for generations. Our one hope and comfort is knowing that the things Ron lost to Alzheimer's - his abilities, his memories, and his very life- are hidden in Christ. Because of Ron's faith in His victorious Savior, he will be raised to new life and receive back all that he lost.

The family would like to thank Tracy Feran, Tim and Norma Riggs, Inea Jean, Edwin Jean, and Tony and Junko Durante, as well as the staff at Courtyard Gardens for caring for Ron during his last months.

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Friday, October 24 at 1 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Delray Beach, Florida. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Habitat For Humanity. Go to habitat.org and click on donate. Condolences and memories may be posted in the comments section below.