Ronald R. Willmarth

He attended Redford High School in Detroit, Michigan and Wayne State University (Bachelors, English Literature) before entering the U.S. Army in 1965. He served for 2 years during the Vietnam War in Fort Hood, Texas, where he earned the Army Commendation Medal.

Ron began working at Aetna Insurance, where he met his lifelong friend, Jim Trebilcock. He served there 9 years before becoming the first Risk Manager at St. John Hospital in Detroit. He relocated to Lansing in 1978 to begin a 22-year career at the Michigan Hospital Association. It was there that he met his wife, Natalie.

Ron married Natalie in 1985, welcoming two children; Kathryn in 1987 and Ronnie in 1990. These three were the loves of his life. They traveled the world together as a family. They shared especially good times on Anna Maria Island with their best friends, Rick and Darlene Kunkel. Ron was a father figure to many, including his special grand-nephew, Eric Sauber.

Ron left MHA in 2000 and began working for Hudson Insurance Group from which he retired in 2013. Ron mentored many during his time as a leader, including Kimber Lantry, who later hired Ron at Hudson. Ron revered Kimber in these later years and they remained friends to this day.

Ron became a Christian over 20 years ago and served the Lord faithfully in Lansing and with Discovery Church in Galway, Ireland. On their many trips to Galway, Ron took immense joy in ministering to widows and the homeless. Ron and Natalie established close friends in Ireland and Ron’s life was richer because of them. The Cullen, Butcher, Nolan, Kenny, and Chapple families, among many others, remain dear Irish friends.

He is survived by his wife Natalie, daughter Katie, son and daughter-in-law Ronnie and Abby, his grandsons Caleb, August, and Leo, sister and brother-in-law Alexandra and Dan Bohlmeyer, brother and sister-in-law Mark and Patti Willmarth, brother-in-law Bill Minnick, brother-and-sister-in-law Dan and Keri Griffin, as well as 9 cousins and 10 nieces and nephews.

Ron’s memory is a blessing to those who knew him. He was funny, caring, generous, and lived his life to the glory of God.

Gifts in Ron’s memory can be sent to Serving Ireland Foundation, P.O. Box 25112, Lansing, MI 48909.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Willmarth family.