Edward Ronald "Ron" Heisler

1942 - 2024

Edward Ronald "Ron" Heisler

Edward Ronald "Ron" Heisler, age 81, of Perrysburg, Ohio, passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side on Saturday, January 27, 2024, from chronic respiratory failure. He was born August 30, 1942, to Edward and Bernice (Scott) Heisler, in Richmond, Virginia.

Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Dawn, on April 7, 2020; and by their son, Jeffrey Dale Heisler, on March 5, 2014. He is survived by his daughter, Melani (Ken Wood); sisters, Jeri (Doug) Carroll, and Nancy Christian; 8 grandchildren, Trent Heisler, Derek (Corinne) Heisler, Megan (David) Sankiewicz, Matthew Wittenmyer, Melissa Wittenmyer, Dylan (Kaliegh) Heisler, Katie (Ryan) Patchin, and Brooke Heisler; and 15 great-grandchildren, Taegan, Duke, Dane, Asher, Zara, Aurora, Zander, Brody, Trey, Berlyn, Briella, Cash, Elijah, Jeremiah, and Anna.

Ron was a graduate of Hermitage High School, Richmond, VA (1960), where he was captain and quarterback of the football team and led them to a league championship. After graduation, Ron worked at Mason's Department Store in Richmond, and later accepted a promotion that relocated him to Mason's Toledo store as General Manager. It was in Toledo that he met Dawn Pahle, the love of his life. They married in 1963. That year at a local church revival service, they encountered the gospel message and both experienced their need for Christ, a need which became a calling to full-time ministry. Together, they attended Midwestern Baptist Bible College, in Pontiac, Michigan, and Ron was elected student body President. He studied Religious Education and earned his Bachelor of Theology (ThB) in 1967.

Ron pastored at First Baptist Church in Ruskin, Florida, then moved his family back to Toledo, Ohio, where he served as the associate pastor at Toledo Baptist Temple on Douglas Rd. He later planted and founded Southside Baptist Temple (1972), currently home of Monclova Road Baptist Church and Monclova Christian Academy.

Ron also served at Calvary Church in Maumee, where he taught the Seniors Sunday School class for two decades and was a member of both the elected Church Board and Missions Board. He was passionate about their Missions Program, supporting not only the "419" locally, but Missionaries worldwide. Ron kept a long prayer list of Missionaries and their picture cards in his Bible. His most valued trip was to Russia in 1990, with Onehope Outreach where the group became the first ever to distribute Bibles in that country.

Outside of church, Ron loved and cherished his family the most. There were countless memories made over holidays, birthdays, and annual Mud Hens games. He was always up for good food and conversation no matter the time or place! As a sports fanatic, we all were reminded of his favorites: Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Tigers, and Lions. Until the very end, Ron was witty, and his sense of humor was alive with good (and not-so-good) jokes and one-liners. The family will personally miss his encouragement, affirmation, and love in their lives. He was their patriarch, always engaging in the details of their lives not to be nosy, but to commit it to prayer.

Family and friends, please join us for a celebration of his life on Monday, February 5, at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Church, 1360 Conant Street, Maumee. And please consider a charitable contribution to Calvary Church. A special thank you to all his aids, nurses, and caregivers, you are heroes. God bless you.