Ronald Ronnie Bob James Dirksen

Ronald James Dirksen age 64, of New Weston, Ohio passed away at 11:10 A.M. on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at his residence. Ronald was born January 30, 1949 in Mercer County, Ohio to the late Gregory & Elizabeth (Wilkinson) Dirksen.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Marilyn M. (Treon) Dirksen whom he married April 4, 1970; daughters & son-in-law, Angela & Dan Brown of Ansonia and Christine Kruckeberg & fiancé, Kevin Grilliot of Willowdell; grandchildren, Tosha, Zachary, Megan, Cody, McKinzie, Kaia and Riley; great-grandchildren, Kensley and Zailey; brothers & sisters-in-law, Clete Dirksen of New Weston, David & Rosemary Dirksen of Madison, Wisconsin, John & Shirley of Portersville, Mississippi and Michael & Sherry Dirksen of Union City, Indiana; sister, Kathleen Gasson of Versailles; sisters-in-law, Anita Dirksen of Rossburg and Kathy & Randy Schulze of Hawaii; best bud, Carly; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ronald is also preceded in death by his brothers, William and Ben Dirksen; and twin sisters, Mary Margret & Mary Ann Dirksen in infancy.

Ronald is a retired mechanic and former owner of Ron’s Lawn Mower Repair. He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church in North Star; and Poor Farmers Tractor Pulling Association. Ron was an avid woodworker and Cleveland Browns fan. Ron enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed camping, tractor pulling, and NASCAR racing. Ron sponsored a youth league baseball team in Ansonia for many years and was a supporter of the Relay for Life Team Vision of Hope.

A Memorial Mass of Cremation will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, November 11, 2013 at St. Louis Catholic Church in North Star with Rev. Fr. David Zink celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Louis Catholic Cemetery in North Star. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 3:00 to 8:00 P.M. and Monday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home in Versailles. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Association of Darke County or State of the Heart Hospice.