Ronald E. Junker

Ronald E. Junker, 90 of rural Varna Illinois, died on February 23, 2026, at Carle Health Proctor in Peoria, Illinois. Born on October 3, 1935, on the farm in Roberts Township to late Ernest and Edna (Petrich) Junker, he married Janice (Wright) Junker on October 1, 1960, in Wenona Illinois. She survives.

Also surviving are his children Keri (Mike) Wall of Freeport, Illinois, Craig (Christine) Junker of Rockford Illinois, Krista (Bill) Herring of Metamora Illinois; brother Darrel Junker of Toluca Illinois; grandchildren Brenden (Erin) Wall of Madison Wisconsin, Kailyn (Connor) Belawich of Naperville Illinois; and great grandchildren Kit and Delilah. He is also survived by his Norwegian son (exchange student) Bjorn (Lise) Ronneberg of Hof Norway. He was preceded in death by his daughter Kimberly Junker, sister Marilyn Palm and nephew Kevin Sandall.

Ron was a generational farmer throughout his life. When he was younger, he also worked for Production Credit as a farm loan officer and at Farm Business Farm Management as a financial manager. Ron served his country in the Air Force, was a member of St Paul's Lutheran Church and the Farm Bureau. He was also a member of the Mid County school board in the 1980s and on the Farmer's Co-Op board at the Varna Elevator.

Ron graduated from the University of Illinois. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He adored his great grandchildren, Kit and Delilah. They could always make him light up and bring a smile to his face. He dedicated his life to his passion for farming, his family and faith. His life was spent cultivating the crops and livestock on the family farm, which he cherished deeply. He was known for his hard work ethic, care and compassion for others, nicknames for everyone, and lived his 90 years to the fullest. He was a true steward of the soil. He greatly appreciated his farm hands- Dale Chambers, Curtis Junker and Jim Sunken.

Every farmer puts his land to rest for the winter. On springs horizon it is brought back to life. God has put this farmer to rest, and with a spring in his step, he walks the horizon to a new life.

Visitation will be held on Friday March 6th from 4 to 7 PM and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Funeral services for Ron will be held on Saturday March 7th at St. Paul's Lutheran Church at 11am with Mark Gruden officiating Burial will be at St Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Varna with military rites.

Memorials can be made to St Jude, St Paul's church, Varna Ambulance, or Kares Foundation.

Online condolences can be left at lenzmemorialhome.com