- Visitation
Thursday, September 4, 2014
4:00 to 8:00 pm
Meyer Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL, and
Friday, September 5, 2014
10:00 to 11:00 am
St. Paul United Church of Christ, Lebanon, IL.
- Service
Friday, September 5, 2014
11:00 am
St. Paul United Church of Christ, Lebanon, IL.
- Full Obituary
Ronald Eugene Channel, 75, of Lebanon died Friday, August 29, 2014, at his home.
Ronald was born in Lawrence, KS on July 17, 1939, to Clyde Lee and Louise "Lou" (nee Mathes) Channel, Jr.
Due to his parents' divorce when he was very young, he and his siblings were raised by different relatives. Ron went to Oregon to live with his father while attending grade and middle school. He and his father returned to Lawrence, Kansas prior to his first year of high school. At that time, his mother, who had remarried, came to Kansas and brought Ron and his siblings back to Illinois to live with her and her new husband. Ron attended high school at Lebanon Community High School.
Ron was drafted by the Army, where he served from 1962 to 1964. When he returned to Lebanon at the end of that service, he joined the Lebanon Volunteer Fire Department in 1965. He also enrolled in classes to join Sheet Metal Workers Local 268 in Caseyville. Ron retired from the fire department after volunteering there from 1965 until 1981. He retired from the Sheet Metal trade in 2001 after working there for 35 years.
During this time, Ron also was active with the Southwestern Illinois Racing Assn. in Highland. He was an official at the stock car track with for many years as well as part owner of stock car that competed there.
Ron was an original member of Southern Illinois Street Rod Assn. as well as Lakers Car Club.
Throughout his many activities, working with old cars, especially street rods, was always his first love. He bought his first street rod, which was a 1931 Ford Coupe, in 1968. After completing that car, he went on to own many more old cars during his lifetime. His favorite car, which he still owned, is the 1931 Ford Coupe which he refused to sell. His other favorite car was a 1965 Chevy Classic, which he also had kept for his personal use. Ron restored many cars over his lifetime, and became known for his reputation for the quality of the workmanship he put into his cars.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, as well as a baby girl and baby boy, both who died in infancy. He is survived by his wife, Janet Kaye (nee Childress) Channel; his daughter, Rhonda Lou Clayton, Lebanon, IL; his brother, Bob Channel, Forsyth, MT; his sister, Shirley (David) Heatlie, Wilsonville, OR; his ex-son-in-law, Mark Clayton, O'Fallon, IL, as well as many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his wonderful granddogs, Luigi, Tuco and Goober, as well as his personal buddy, Sparky.
Memorials may be made to the Lebanon-Emerald Mound Volunteer Fire Department in Ron's name.
The family wishes to extend our heartfeld thanks for the dedication, attention and love that Family Hospice gave us during Ron's illness over the past year. Every minute is deeply appreciated.
Visitation: Thursday, September 4, 2014, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Meyer Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL, and Friday, September 5, 2014, from 10:00 to 11:00 am at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Lebanon, IL.
Funeral: Friday, September 5, 2014, 11:00 am, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Lebanon, IL.
Clergy: Rev. Dr. Don Wagner, Pastor
Interment: Summerfield Cemetery, Summerfield, IL with military honors.
Luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall at St. Paul United Church of Christ. All attending are welcome.
Meyer Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL
