Ronald Eugene "Ron" Beitz (77) of Effingham

Ronald “Ron” Eugene Beitz, 77, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham, IL.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 6, 2021 at First Baptist Church in Effingham. Burial will be in Stewardson Cemetery in Stewardson, IL. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 5, 2021 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham, IL. Please wear a mask for all services and practice social distancing. Memorials may be made to the Prairie Heart Institute or the Trinity Lutheran Church Ladies Aid in Stewardson. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.

Ron was born on September 17, 1943, in Effingham, IL, the son of Ervin and Mildred (Moran) Beitz. He married Janet Kae Kessler on September 29, 1963 in Stewardson. They were married for 37 years, and she passed on September 21, 2000. He married Tanya Lynn Steele on September 1, 2001 in Effingham. They were married for 20 years. Ron graduated from Stewardson-Strasburg High School in 1961 and was a member of the FFA. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Stewardson for many years and was now attending the First Baptist Church in Effingham. Ron worked for the Oliver Corporation, constructed grain bins, and was a carpenter for over 50 years. He was a Farm Mutual Insurance Agent and a Buck Stove dealer. Ron formerly served as a town board member in Stewardson, IL and formerly served as a Deacon at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Stewardson. Ron was a lifetime collector of farm toys and was a member of the National Trail Farm Toy Club. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife Tanya.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Tanya Beitz of Effingham; children, Randy (Margie) Beitz of Shelbyville, KY, Melody (Gary) Smith of Silver Lake, IN, Tamara (John) Root of Effingham, Ryan (Rachel) Beitz of Shelbyville, IL, Shane (Kathleen) Smith of Edgewood, Shelly (Frank) Herboth of Altamont, and Holly (Kraig) Buenerkemper of Teutopolis; grandchildren, Chris Beitz (Sally), Tisha Beitz (Alex), Priscilla Beitz (Derek), Ronald “R.J.” Beitz (Maggie), Megan Sheetz (Nathan), Morgan Thompson (Bryan), Kelsey Boerngen (Tyler), Madison Jones (Paul), Jennifer Root, Fallynn Beitz, Katelyn Smith, Logan Smith (Courtney), Megan Herboth, Jessica Herboth, Kayla Buenerkemper (Kitric), Ryan Buenerkemper (Alexis), and Lane Buenerkemper; great-grandchildren, Chloe Beitz, Sawyer Beitz, Oliver Beitz, Teddy Drake, David Coon, Jonathan Beitz, Ryker Smith, Adalynn Smith, Hazel Smith, Aubree Dixon, Kameron Dixon, Ariana Dixon, and 3 more “greats” on the way; siblings, Rhonda (Charley) Vonderheide, Dennis (Mary) Beitz, and Dianne (Dave) Whitt; mother-in-law, Philena Steele; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Sandy Smith, Ardel (George) Huntington, Don (Ann) Kessler, Karol Kessler, Orval Mechling, Helen (Harold) Brown, Janice Cordell, Carol Reardon, and Roger (Wanda) Kessler.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janet; son, Rodney Beitz; grandson, Isaiah Beitz; mother-in-law, Hazel Kessler; father-in-law, Ardnel Steele; son-in-law, Doug Boerngen; and in-laws, Sonny Smith, Charles and Vivian Kessler, Chuck and Norma Hobson, Glen Kessler, Mary Mechling, and Leonard Reardon.