Ronald H. Croyle

FUNERAL HOME

Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home

632 St. Francis Street

Rapid City, South Dakota

Ronald Croyle Obituary

BOX ELDER - Ronald H. Croyle, 71, Box Elder, completed his earthly journey on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009, at his home. He was born March 2, 1937, in Summerhill, PA to H.L. and Ruby (Engle) Croyle, the second of four sons. Ron married the love of his life, Betty Stombaugh on April 9, 1956. To this union six children were born. Ron and Betty moved their family to Rapid City in the winter of 1967. Ron fell in love with the area on a vacation earlier in the summer of '67 and the love affair continued for almost 42 years. Ron loved the Black Hills with every ounce of his being; he hunted every year and fished everyday he could get out of bed. If he got up, he fished and could be found most early mornings somewhere near Canyon Lake Park. Ron was a jokester and a fabricator of stories. His daughters were often embarrassed by those stories but we loved him just the same. His sons were his pride and joy and the best friends he had. Ron is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty, Box Elder; three daughters, Rondi (Mark) Murphy, Rapid City, Ruth Croyle, Box Elder, and Becky (Bryce) Beachem, Hill City; two sons, John (Landy) Croyle and James (Patty) Croyle, all of Rapid City; 23 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Allen (Jean) Croyle, Black Hawk, and William Croyle, Rapid City; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Charles; sister-in-law, Charlotte Croyle; a son Jeffrey Croyle Sr; granddaughters, Heather McCarver and Raven Croyle; grandson, Freedom Green; and nephew, Joseph Croyle. Ron donated his body to science and will be interred at a later date. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 20, at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday Jan. 21, at Behrens-Wilson Funeral Home, with the Rev. Lloyd Edwards officiating. Condolences may be conveyed to the family at www.behrenswilson.com

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Published by Rapid City Journal on Jan. 20, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Croyle

6 Entries

Joan Reese

January 22, 2009

Betty & family,

We are so sorry for your loss. I didn't always see eye to eye with Ron but we all loved him. I personally will miss the walleye he cooked for us. Whitey was not crazy about fish but he said he would eat it every day if Ron would cook it. I remember him meeting us at the airport when we would fly in to visit. We will miss him when we come out again. I know all the sisters were happy to see him in Oct. I know you are in a better place but you will be missed by all of us. Love Joan & Whitey

Mary Croyle

January 21, 2009

Ron will always have a spot in my heart. He was not just my brother-in-law he was my brother.
Ron while your strolling along the creek with your fishing pole and stringer or bobbing up down in a boat on a lake watch over the rest of us.
I love you.
Mary

Summer Croyle

January 20, 2009

May this great man rest in peace. I have heard many great stories about Ronny from my husband and my Grandfather in-law. Although I never had the pleasure of meeting him, I can tell that he was a fun-filled and honorable guy. The memories that my husband shared with him will live on forever. My heart goes out to the rest of the Croyle family in this sad time.

Ginny Carsten

January 20, 2009

I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Ginny Carsten

Craig Stewart

January 20, 2009

To Betty and all the Croyle family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you all, may your memories of Ronny give comfort now and in the future.

Robert Croyle

January 20, 2009

To Aunt Betty, to my cousins Suzy, Jack, Jim, Ruth, Becky.

My Uncle Ronny was as described in his obituary, a jokester / storyteller. For him, when he fished, every fish he hooked was the "big one", every deer he shot at was a trophy. His exaggerations were always taken with a grain of salt. I loved him as much as I love my own father. It was my Uncle Ronny who was walking down one of the many roads in the McVeigh Burn area with me, when a deer ran out and I shot it, my first kill, he was so excited and congratulated me, slapping me on the back, shaking my hand. He quickly field dressed the deer and he told the story of the deer many times that hunting season and it became more fantastic with each telling. Earlier the same year we had gone out duck hunting together after having been unsuccessfull on the opening weekend, we went back to Curlew Lake and we saw a lot of "black ducks", we shot a bunch of them and brought them home, cleaned them and they smelled so bad I gagged frequently, we were so proud of our duck hunt as my father laughed at us without telling us that we had shot a bunch coots. We tried to eat them anyway, our pride had been wounded, but we would show them all that we would eat what we hunted. We couldn't eat them, the smell of them cooking was so bad, I can still smell them now 41 years later. Even the dogs wouldn't eat them and we had to bury them.

I enjoyed many hours / days hunting and fishing with you, my Uncle. In the last few years living outside the United States, I haven't kept in contact with family like I should have. I will miss your stories, your humor and that laugh of yours as well as your kindness and generosity that you showed so many people.

To my aunt and cousins, as I said about my brother Joe.

We have all lost a part of us.
We will all feel this pain.
We will all grieve for Ronny.
We will all remember him in our different ways.
We will all continue to love him.
He will always be in our hearts, prayers and minds.
He meant so much for all of us, each in a unique way.
He has shown us what a hero really is, how to have courage and be a leader.
His humor, contagious laugh and bright smile are gone but never forgotten.
He is truly the wiser now, for he knows what lies beyond.
He will wait for us and as we all join him one by one, we will once again enjoy his company as those who have gone before him are enjoying him now.
He will busy up in the heavens now for he is guardian angel.

Please know that Gabi and I are thinking of you all. We cannot be there in person, however we are there in spirit.