Ronald Joseph "Ronnie" Wade (76) of Cowden

Ronald Joseph “Ronnie” Wade of Cowden, IL, passed away on Monday, September 27, 2021 at the age of 76.

Funeral services for Ronald will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, October 1, 2021 at the First Christian Church in Cowden with Pastor Sid Hutchison officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Mound Cemetery, Cowden, IL. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Christian Church of Cowden.

Known to his friends as Bucky, Ronald grew up near Beecher City with 10 siblings. After serving his country in the Navy, Ronald worked for Caterpillar in Decatur for 45 years. He also served as a volunteer fireman for the Cowden fire department. He enjoyed participating in garden tractor pulls, riding snowmobiles and working on vehicles. Ronald was a member of the First Christian Church in Cowden and the Christian County Garden Tractor Pullers Association. He loved his family and will be dearly missed.

Surviving are his spouse of 52 years, Mary Kay (née McMillen) Wade; his children, Mike (Kara) Wade of Effingham and Jennifer (Matt) Sphar of Altamont; grandchildren, Kimber Sphar, Keegan Sphar, Alayna Wade, and Aidan Wade; brother, Keith (Kathy) Wade of Silverdale, WA, and sisters, Laura (Ted) Zackro of Effingham and Kay (Jim) Ping of Effingham.

Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Sylvia Wade, one brother, and six sisters.

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