By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
16 Comments
    • Service

      2 p.m. Graveside Service

      Thursday November 12, 2020

      Little Prairie Cemetery rural Albion IL

    • Full Obituary

      After a hard fought battle with the corona virus, Ronald Dean Mann of rural Albion passed away on November 9, 2020 at Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, IN. surrounded by his wife and children.  Ron was born on June 27, 1940 in Olney, IL, the son of Virgil Elmer and Mary Ann (Shepherd) Mann.  He was married to Marilyn Lea Longbons on April 14, 1962 at Little Prairie Christian Church.

      Ron earned an associate degree in machine drafting from Southern Illinois University in 1960.

      He enlisted in the United States Air Force on April 17, 1961 and made a career in serving his country.  Ron experienced much of the world while being stationed in Thailand, Germany and Greenland.  He and his family were also stationed domestically at bases in Virginia, California and Nebraska.  Ron retired from the Air Force in 1981 and moved back to rural Albion with his family.

      After returning to Albion, Ron began farming with his father-in-law Joe Longbons and eventually took over after Joe’s retirement.   He also worked as an electrician.  Ron retired from farming in 2015.  Ron was a jack of all trades.  He worked on many projects involving his house, farm and church as well as others involving family and friends.   He and his family attend Little Prairie Church in rural Albion where he faithfully served as a deacon, elder, teacher and treasurer for many years.  In retirement Ron stayed busy with participating in the VFW Honor Guard, delivering meals for the Senior Center and helping out at the Edwards County Historical Society.  In his free time Ron liked to hunt and watch harness racing. However spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren was his greatest joy.  He always made time to attend their school activities, sporting events, birthdays and other important events.  He also enjoyed just spending time with family especially with anything involving good food.

      Ron was preceded in death by brothers Ray and Stan, two infant brothers and sister-in-law LaDonna Mann. He is survived by his wife of 58 years as well as a daughter Melanie (Brian) Maas of rural Albion and a son Curtis (Mary Lynn) of rural Mt. Auburn, IL.  Four grandchildren Monica (Kevin) Terry, Ben (Natalie) Maas, Abby and Alex Mann. Four great grandchildren Kolby and Mayleigh Terry and Nolan and Cooper Maas.  Two brothers Mike (Lois) Mann of Ellery and Steve Mann of Olney and two sisters-in-law Shirley Mann of Ellery and Nina Mann of rural Albion. Several nieces and nephews, cousins, and through an extensive family tree, half of western Edwards County.

      A Graveside Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday November 12, 2020 at Little Prairie Cemetery in rural Albion. Military Rites will be conducted.

      Memorials are encouraged to the Edwards County Senior Citizens, VFW Flag Fund and Edwards County Historical Society.

      Fond memories and condolences may be left for the family at meridithfuneralhome.com

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

       

    Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

    16 Condolences
     
    1. Curtis Ingram / November 10, 2020 at 3:21 pm

      Sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. Such a joy to swap stories with him and laugh together.
      You have our sympathy.
      Curtis & Dolores Ingram

    2. judith a. markman / November 10, 2020 at 3:40 pm

      Ron has been on my mind and i my prayers ever since I learned that he was ill. He was a great friend, and I send my deepest sympathies to Marilyn and the family.

    3. Terri Hilgeman / November 10, 2020 at 3:47 pm

      Simply one of the best….We are…and will continue to be…. honored and blessed….to call him our friend….

      Comfort….care and peace to all of you…

      We love you…xoxoxo ❤️

      Chuck and Terri Hilgeman

    4. Karen L. Smith / November 10, 2020 at 5:40 pm

      So very sorry to hear of Ron’s passing. Deepest sympathy to all the family!! Praying for comfort and peace 🙏.

    5. Jane and David Harris / November 10, 2020 at 5:58 pm

      Remembering death is a Christian’s reward. Prayers of comfort to those who must wait to be reunited with Ron. He will be missed until we meet again
      Jane and David Harris

    6. Debra Spillman / November 10, 2020 at 6:04 pm

      Sorry for your loss, prayers for you and your family.

    7. Beth Seals / November 10, 2020 at 6:10 pm

      So sorry for your loss. What a wonderful Christian man. I thank the entire family for his service to our nation and God’s kingdom

    8. Terry Shepherd / November 10, 2020 at 8:05 pm

      “Always there!” Cousin Ron was born a little less than two month before me. Obviously, I don’t remember a time when Ron wasn’t there. We were in some elementary school classes together at Burnt Prairie (one room country school which was between the Henry Simms and Clayton St. Ledger Farms in west central Edwards County) and Albion Grade School (now House of Prayer on Fifth St.). We spent hours/years together at Little Prairie Christian Church, 4-H, and at our Shepherd Grandparents house. Ron was there to help me set up a camper in our grandpa’s woods in 2012 . When we visited Little Prairie, Ron was always there! I (Wilda and Mark, too) will sorely miss him. Terry Shepherd (Wilda and Mark)

    9. Connie Hocking / November 10, 2020 at 9:12 pm

      Prayers and comfort for the family. He will be missed by many. 🇺🇸🕊🙏🏻

    10. Danny Lankford / November 10, 2020 at 10:23 pm

      My first memory of Ron was from 5th grade when he came to our class, to share experiences and show slides of his overseas service. He made a big impression on me that day, one that stands out in my memory bank.
      A dedicated, respected leader at our church and always answered the call for honor guard duty in memory of others.
      Deepest condolences to his family. He will be missed.

    11. Marvin & Ardis Wick / November 10, 2020 at 10:26 pm

      So sorry to hear of your loss, wonderful Christian man, so proud to call him Friend,
      Hold tight to all the good memories, they can never be taken from you….
      Till we.meet again….
      Marvin & Ardis Wick

    12. Josh, Melissa, and Holston Kiefer / November 11, 2020 at 3:56 pm

      Ron was as fine of a man as you could ever want to meet. Always greeted you with a smile and a kind word. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and many friends.

    13. Judy Bosecker / November 11, 2020 at 7:13 pm

      We always have great memories of Ron Mann. He served His country and continued to serve His Community. I remember when He served in Colorado Springs at the Air Force academy. His parents were so proud. He use to make His Mother crafts and send them home. She would be anxious to show Her Precious gifts. He was my neighbor as a child, in the Little Prairie Community.

    14. Linda Gill Cruzan / November 11, 2020 at 11:21 pm

      So sorry for your loss His love of family was always shinning through.

    15. Tonya Lankford Townsend / November 13, 2020 at 6:21 am

      My sincere sympathy to Marilyn and family. Ron was one of the best. Like his Father, Mother and brothers he was someone to look up to and admire for the Christian example he set. He was always one of the first to extend his hand and share a smile. He will be greatly missed. Love and prayers to you all.

    16. Ron & Sherry Mann / November 15, 2020 at 5:23 pm

      Our deepest condolences to Marilyn, Curtis, Melanie and all the family. We can not express how sad we were when we heard of Ron’s passing. We have such fond memories of our trip in to Albion in 2011 and meeting many of the “Mann’s Family”. Ron was so hospitable and informative of the Mann history, showing us the museum and many family farms and the surprising “Mann reunion”. Marilyn, another unbelievable venture was in 2014 to re-unite with you, Ron, Curtis & Melanie in England to visit the area of Wanborough that our forefather “The Mann” lived and immigrated to Illinois.
      Ron was such a friendly and likeable person, we felt like we knew him for years. He will be remembered forever in our hearts.
      Love and Prayers to you all,
      Ron & Sherry Mann, British Columbia, Canada

    Leave a Condolence or Memory: