By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
18 Comments
  • Visitation

    Thursday, March 12, 2020

    5 to 7 p.m.

    First Christian Church of West Salem, IL

  • Service

    Friday, March 13, 2020

    10 a.m.

    First Christian Church of West Salem, IL

    Burial to follow in Moravian Cemetery in West Salem

  • Full Obituary

    Ronald Carl “Ron” Mason, 80, of West Salem, IL, passed from this life to the next on March 7, 2020 at Aperion Care in Fairfield, IL.

    He was born August 7, 1939 in Bone Gap, IL to Mary (Mills) and Carl Mason. He married Delores “Dee” Harness on December 24, 1961 in Olney, IL and she survives.

    Ron was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and worked at Champion Labs for 30 years. He served as the Edwards County Clerk and Recorder for 12 years and enjoyed being a public servant. He was a member of the West Salem Fire Department in the early years and served as the West Salem Village Clerk. He was a faithful member of the First Christian Church of West Salem, serving as a deacon, elder, song leader, and Sunday school teacher.

    He loved his family dearly and never missed his kids’ or grandkids’ activities. He enjoyed gardening, flowers, and being outdoors. He was able to look at an empty two-acre lot and envision the potential of the property. He and Dee transformed the empty lot into a beautiful space, filled with trees, plants, and flowers and a winding driveway that led to their home.

    Ron is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dee of West Salem; one daughter, Cathy (Keith) Spence of West Salem; one son, Steve (Trisha) Mason of Fairfield; one sister, Alberta (Theron) Jenner of West Salem; two brothers: Larry (Diane) Mason of Olney, IL and Jerry (Debbie) Mason of West Salem; six grandchildren: Jordan (Sondra) Spence of Albuquerque, NM, Amber (Phil) Lovato of Albuquerque, NM, Megan Spence of Searcy, AR, and Tyler Mason, Trenton Mason, and Trey Mason, all of Fairfield; and five great-grandchildren: Josiah, Levi, Eliana, Destiny, and Declan. A sister-in-law, Kay Mason of Albion, also survives as well as several nieces and nephews.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, and nephew Marc.

    Visitation will be held Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the First Christian Church in West Salem. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020 at the church. Burial will follow in the Moravian Cemetery in West Salem. Full military rites will be conducted at the graveside.

    Because of Ron’s love of springtime, all are invited to wear bright, spring colors to his services.

    Memorials may be made to Brownsville School or the First Christian Church of West Salem and envelopes will be available at the service.

    Online condolences may be left for the family at www.meridithfuneralhome.com.

    Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home of West Salem is honored to be entrusted with the arrangements.

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

18 Condolences
 
  1. Carolyn Howell / March 9, 2020 at 5:31 pm

    Dee, we are so sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. He was a dear sweet friend. Our prayers for you and your family. We pray that sweet memories shared with family and friends will bring peace and comfort in the coming days.

    Love and prayers,
    Dan and Carolyn Howell

  2. Joe and debbie couch / March 9, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    So very sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. Our sincere sympathy to the family.

  3. Gary & Opal Hall / March 9, 2020 at 5:53 pm

    Praying for peace & comfort. Ron was a great Christian man. He was a dear friend to my family. He will be missed.

  4. Charleen Finch / March 9, 2020 at 5:56 pm

    Always smiling is how I remember you. Ron. Sweet man. Loving and kind. Loved visiting with you. The angels are singing! Your family loved you immensely.

    Charleen Finch
    Evansville, IN

  5. Judith Baughman Saxe / March 9, 2020 at 6:03 pm

    Sorry for your loss. I enjoyed seeing Ron when he was county clerk. I was in the courthouse often while working at the bank.

  6. Maggie Bringa / March 9, 2020 at 6:10 pm

    Ohhhhh. What a wonderful man n family!

  7. Micki lemke / March 9, 2020 at 8:28 pm

    So sorry for your loss sending prayers for you and your family Ron & Micki lemke

  8. Earline Gualdoni / March 9, 2020 at 10:35 pm

    Dee, sending hugs! Love you always, Earline

  9. Cookie Collins / March 10, 2020 at 12:44 am

    Awwww, so sad to hear of this but I believe he is singing with the great choir in Heaven and smiling his big smile that he so easily offered when you met face to face. God Bless you all and may you feel the perfect peace of God all around you.

  10. Jerry Nichols / March 10, 2020 at 1:24 pm

    Ron was a great man. Rest in peace Ron.

  11. Patricia Michels / March 10, 2020 at 3:34 pm

    Dee, Cathy & Steve, So sorry for your loss. Ron was a wonderful person and I have great memories of your family from the neighborhood. May God comfort you during this difficult time.

  12. Dale Trimmer / March 10, 2020 at 4:58 pm

    I’m so very sorry for your loss. I trust the Lord will be with all of you at this time.

  13. Gerald and Melba Knust / March 11, 2020 at 8:24 am

    Sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. Prayers for the family to be comforted at this difficult time. May he be at peace.

  14. Curtis Ingram / March 11, 2020 at 3:03 pm

    Sorry to hear of Ron’s passing.
    You have our sympathy
    Curtis & Dolores Ingram

  15. LANNIE HAYES / March 11, 2020 at 6:34 pm

    So sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. Was always a good neighbor to my parents and our whole family. Hugs to you Dee, Cathy and Steve. Lifting you all up in prayer.
    Lannie Hayes

  16. Lynn A Yates / March 11, 2020 at 6:43 pm

    Dee and family, praying for peace and comfort at this time. He was such a sweet man. Loved his smile.

  17. Greg Brandt / March 11, 2020 at 8:07 pm

    Dee, Cathy, and Steve. So sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. I remember the many times our families got together as us kids grew up together in West Salem. Our prayers are with you.

    Greg and Gina Brandt

  18. Sharon Bayus / March 12, 2020 at 3:48 pm

    We will miss you Uncle Ronnie! You are one of the adults in my childhood that I remember really ‘seeing’ kids for who they are and making an effort to ask about us and what we liked doing, and so on. He really furthered my love of horses when he took me to Mr Mason’s farm, and to watch Little Abby race. I so loved that. We love and miss you Uncle Ronnie! —Your Indian or Texas, depending on the day! 🥰

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