Ronald Lee Lichtenwald

FAYETTE - Ronald Lee Lichtenwald, age 69, lifelong resident of Fayette, died unexpectedly on Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Angola, IN. Ron was born January 4, 1954, in Adrian, MI, the son of the late Douglas Leo and Irene Louise (Kutzley) Lichtenwald. On March 24, 1972, in Fayette, he and his beautiful bride Melody Jean Wilson were united in marriage at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church.
Ron, a proud entrepreneur, alongside his wife co-owned and operated Mel's Place in Fayette for over 27 years, selling the business in his recent retirement in 2020. He also started a trucking company with his son Doug, Borderline Express, and he still loved to drive. One of Ron's favorite pastimes was camping, and he was a seasonal camper at Hickory Acres in Edgerton, where he was renown as the "Pajama Man".
A man of routine, Ron enjoyed his daily morning podcasts while enjoying "drinking a cigarette and smoking coffee"-likely the only downtime of his day. His greatest passion was his family, and he loved doting on his grandchildren, and he was always giving to them of his time and talents as a self-proclaimed "Jack of All Trades". Ron never knew a stranger with his outgoing personality and his infectious and charming smile. He proudly wore his heart on his sleeve.
Surviving to cherish his memory is his wife of 51 years, Melody; sons, Douglas (Alecia) Lichtenwald of Fayette and Andy (Autumn) Lichtenwald of Fayette; daughter, Sarah (JR) Asbury of Fayette; siblings, David (Becky) Lichtenwald, Kathy Amos, and Karen (Curtis) Bentley all of Fayette; 11 grandchildren, Tori, Tara, Damon, Kruez, Jared, Justin, Alyssa, Aryn, Marcus, and Jaelynn; four great-grandchildren, Kembryl, Thane, Tatum, and Paisley; sisters-in-law, Ella Lichtenwald of Cape Canaveral, FL, Charity (Mike) Slyker of Fayette, Val (Dan) Sweigart of Doraville, GA, Ivy (Dewey) Kunkle of Fayette, Angel (David) Towers of Camden, MI, and Felicia (Bob) Stockman of Fayette; numerous loving in-laws and extended family; and a community of friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Allan Lichtenwald; sister, Vicki Lichtenwald; grandson, Andrew Lichtenwald; nephews, Shane Kunkle, Adam Lichtenwald, and Tony Higgins; brother-in-law, Billy Amos; and step-fathers, Walter Jay Grau and Ed Figgins.
Funeral services for Ron will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Fayette Family Life Center in Fayette, with Pastor Vicki Schnitkey officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant View Union Cemetery in Fayette. The family will receive friends for visitation on Thursday, July 27, 2023, from 2:00 – 8:00 p.m., also at the Family Life Center. To view Ronald's Funeral Service, please go to https://webcasts.lifetributes.com/1279045
To best honor Ron, the family suggests donations be given to the AJL Memorial Fund. Condolences can be shared with the family at www.eaglemarryfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Eagle-Marry Funeral Home, Fayette.
"Fly High, and Keep on Truckin'"