Ronald Ron Haskell

Ronald (Ron) Haskell, 71
Rockford—Ronald (Ron) Haskell, 71 of Rockford died Friday, May 23, 2014 peacefully at home. Born August 31, 1942 in Rockford to Homer and Virginia Haskell. A lifelong resident of Rockford. Graduating from West High School in 1961. After high school Ron went through an apprenticeship with W.F. & John Barnes Co., Started at Ingersoll Milling Machine Co/Machine Tool Company as a teenager on May 1, 1962 then moving his way to Supervisor for 37 years Ron retired after 48 years to the day on May 1, 2010. On July 21, 1964, Ron and Donna had their first date and on November 5, 1966 he married Donna (the love of his life) in St. James Catholic Church in Rockford. Ron was certified for his backyard wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. Member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Y Senior Men's Club, Alpine Kiwanis Club, Ingersoll Retirement Club and Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden which he was one of the original members. Ron donated blood to the Northern Ill/Rock River Blood Bank for over 50 years. Ron was a big believer of giving back to the community and volunteered at Holy Family Catholic Church, Rock River Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen, Habitat for Humanity part of the Weekday Wonder Crew, Alpine Kiwanis, YMCA and many others. Ron enjoyed Gardening his famous saying was "I love to dig in the dirt", an Avid traveler going to all 50 states (46 with his kids) and all seven continents and over 40 different countries, Ron also loved to Golf, fish and was an avid walker. His dry sense of humor will be missed by all. Everyone who knew Ron knew about "Old Blue" his 1969 Chevy Impala that he loved, His family is what meant the most to Ron as he loved gathering with his children and grandchildren together.
Survivors; Wife, Donna, Son, Keith (Anita) Haskell of Mystic, CT; Twin daughters, Ronda (Ed Asmus) Haskell of Plainfield, IL and Regina (David) Loncala of Oswego, IL; grandchildren, Nolan, Abbie, Morgan, Peyton and Brittni; brothers, Donald and David Haskell.Funeral Mass 10 am, Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Holy Family Catholic Church 4401 Highcrest Road, with Fr. Seisser Officiating. Entombement in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory (Mulford Chapel) 1860 S. Mulford Road with a Christian Wake Service at 8 p.m. Visitation will continue Thursday morning from 9 to 9:45 am to at church. In lieu of flowers a memorial will be made to Klehm Arboretum in Ron's name.