Ronnie L Herendeen, 62 of San Antonio, FL died at 6:17 AM Thursday morning, October 4, 2007, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida. He was retired from the U.S. Army after a twenty-seven year career earning the rank of Master Sargeant. He served our country around the world and as Viet Nam War veteran. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal. He also received a Meritorious Service medal and others. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, hunting and bowling.
Ron was born the son of Donald & Laura Herendeen in Kendallville, Indiana, February 11, 1945. During his life, he married Dorothy Beckwith, Diane Rowland, & Sandy Bean.
He leaves behind his children: daughter, Rhonda Herendeen of Tampa, FL; four sons and daughter-in-laws: Scott & Karen Herendeen of Kendallville, IN, Brett Herendeen of Columbia, SC, Ross and Brad Herendeen of Gainesville, GA. Also surviving are his 3 sisters & brother-in-laws, Linda & Evert Smith of Bronson, MI, Carol & Jerry Alexander of Kendallville, IN, and Lorna & Ron Lopshire of Lebanon, OH; and five grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were 2 brothers Larry & Alvin, his Father and Mother and 1 Grandchild.
Military Funeral and burial are scheduled for 2:30 PM on Wednesday, October 17th at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.
Arrangements by Veterans Funeral Care
800 467-7850
Moms Place will never be the same without you. We drank together Gamble together and shared alot of good times together You will be missed Greatly Thanks for the memories God Bless You Ill never forget you
Ron was a dear friend and a great golf buddy, he will be missed!
Andy
My condolences to Ron’s family and friends. I am one of his golf buddies. I enjoyed his company and will miss him dearly.
My condolences to Ron’s family.I enjoyed his company and will miss him dearly.
I can only say this, and that is you are my HERO and I Love you and Miss you Sooooooo Much. Don’t forget me. Your Daughter SPORT!
I learned to know Ron 2 years ago on the golf course. In addition to being a great golfer, he is one of those special people who gave so much of himself during his life. Ron, you are a real CHAMPION!
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Herendeen family
Darlene and I pray for the family during this hard time. Ron was a dear friend and a warm hearted person who we will miss. We are glad to have known him for the short 3 years that we played Golf, Poker and other get togethers.
I am sorry to lose one of my best golfing friends. He will truly be missed.
TO A GREAT MAN AND FRIEND. RON WAS ALWAYS THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT WOULD GIVE THE SHIRT OFF HIS BACK OR GIVE YOU HIS LAST DOLLAR. HE WILL BE MISSED!! TO RON FROM ALL OF YOUR GOLF BUDDIES IT IS NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND AND THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY! MIKE NELSON
Ronnie was a character.The sound of his voice could make you smile.He could be a tough one but also a good friend and the voice of reason.Its hard to walk up to his garage and not see him sitting there in his chair offering you a beer.I will miss his laugh and the way he was always up for a good song to dance to.
Ron was like family as well as a friend. His absence is felt daily and will be felt eternally. I am thankful for the times we shared together-he always had something funny to say and a story to share that not only made the adults laugh but the kids as well. I miss you Uncle Ron!
Ronnie Herendeen! You and Alvin were my childhood friends. Tell Alvin ’Hi’ from me. He will be glad to see you.
David Manuel
My deepest sympathy to Rhonda and her family. Cherish the memories you all had together. Don’t forget he lives on in your heart forever!
Our love and prayers go out to all the family members who loved him so dearly.
Ronnie,I have known you all your life and have loved you always.
we had so many good times,I have many memories of you and your sisters.I will miss you terribly.
your cousin. KATHLYNE NODINE
Ron was a good man and a dear friend.
I enjoyed golfing with him and will miss him.
My deepest smpathy to the family.
I am sorry to lose a good friend and buddy.
We grew up together as we lived across the street from each other.
I will remember all the good times.
You were a true friend.
Ours prayers and thoughts are with the Herendeen family in their time of loss.
Dear Rhonda and Family
Our Loved Ones Never Leave Us Because They Remain In Our Hearts Forever. Ron Will Always Be In Mine.
You Have My Deepest Sympathy, Love Kim
Sorry to hear about Ron’s demise. We were high school sweathearts and came close to being more than that. I will miss him more than you will ever know!
Rhonda, Brad and Family,
My prayers for comfort in your time of loss. Your dad was a great person who loved and enjoyed his family. I enjoyed his company and cherish the time spent with him. You will always have special memories to keep you strong. My deepest sympathy. Love, Kim
Dear Scott, Brett, Rhonda, Ross and Brad and All Ron’s Friends: Ron would have been truly proud of the honorable tribute to his miliary and social life. Thank all of you so much for the kind words, thoughts and prayers you have extended. Jerry and I will truly miss my brother! Thank you.
Ronnie was a long-time friend and will truly be missed. Our love and prayers go out to the Herendeen family.
Terry and Donna
You were not only my father but,my best friend.DAD you will always be in my heart and memories.I cant name off all the good times we had together fishing,golfing,drinking,working on the house,and just being father and son together.I’m starting to realize why I’m so stuborn now.This goes out to my fatherbudI love you so.You better be there to greet me when its my turn.
Dear Family and Friends,
I apologize for not sharing any thoughts when I originally signed in, but I was not emotionally prepared to do anything at that time. Ron was a true friend and Rosemarie and I will truly miss him. Every night we really expect him to show up at our place with his usual shopping bag full of refreshments this would happen at least three days every week. Our conversations ranged from golf Ron was an excellent golfer to political Democrat versus Republican to family Ron had five children and we had four children to poker he was a better golfer than a poker player to military experiences Ron would frequently promote me from lieutenant to a higher rank depending on how I had performed that day at golf, poker or anything else we had gotten into that day or new cars and trucks can you really believe that he finally bought a new car.
Rosemarie and I will really miss MSG Herendeen.
To all of Ron?s Family and Friends,
Our deepest sympathy is extended to the entire Herendeen family and close friends.
Ron and I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to soldier together, but we spent countless hours sharing war stories as we both honorably served as Army Senior Non-Commissioned Officers. Ron was one of very few heroes that influenced my life.
We met Ron in 1991 and played golf just about every Saturday from sun-up to sun-down through 2000. In September 1996, Ron talked me into golfing in a military retiree three day tournament in Las Vegas. We spent five fantastic days in Vegas playing golf, black jack, and taking in the town. Ron and I enjoyed a two year stretch of golf in the late 1990s by going undefeated in a two man scramble format and in June of this year, we defended our undefeated record at the TPC in Tampa, FL. Ron and I will pick-up our undefeated golf record and take on all challengers at a later date and in a greater place.
For those that may not have known, Ron held more records than just about anyone I?ve ever had the pleasure to know. Ron?s records extend to his school days, during his military service, and post retirement from the military. You will not locate these records in any book. Ron was always ahead of his time and he acted accordingly.
Ron?s robust laughter will never be forgotten. We will miss his infrequent phone calls and visits to Orlando. Ron will always be remembered for his ability to light-up a room and always keep things on the lighter side.
We all suffer from the loss of this great Man ? he will always be in our Hearts.
Ron was always a special cousin.I have very pleasant and joyful memories of him. From what I’ve read in his guestbook he will be missed,very much,by many.
Ron my friend and comrade in arms. You will be deeply missed. Meeting you in 92 and all the rounds of golf we played as team mates and competitor will be memories never forgotten. The trading of war stories, laughter and some sorrow will be our parting gift to one another, but never forgotten. One day we will meet up again to play some more rounds in a far better place. You will be deeply missed and I thank the lord for allowing us to have met and played again only a few weeks ago.
God bless you and may you rest in peace for you made the this world a better place.
Dear Rhonda, Scott, Brett < Brad and Ross, I, Dorothy, was married to your father for almost 9 years. We had some good times and unfortunately we ended in divorce but I just want to say to you that you had a great father. I thank him for giving me 3 wonderful children whom I love dearly. Brad and Ross, I do not know you very well personally, but because you were Ron’s children you have a place a my heart also. I feel so sad for you all in the loss of your father. I know that you loved him very much and will miss him terribly. Our sincerest condolances go out to each and everyone of you. Warren and Dorothy Herendeen
Ronnie, we haven’t seen you for many years but we will see you in heaven. To Scott, Rhonda, Brett, Brad and Ross, we don’t really know what to say except we are so very sorry you have lost your buddy and good ole’ dad. May God comfort all of you.
To Ron…You are truly one of a kind!! Meeting you while serving in the US Army,Oh the fun we had, golf trips to all the Hawaian islands, fishing and hunting in Colorado, trips to Vegas….our marriage was filled with over the top memories. I can remember your “Lee Marvin” voice, followed by laughter……Its hard to think that you are gone. I’d call you just to talk, catch up on what you’ve been up too. You will truly be missed and feel you’ve been taken away too early from all of us on this earth!! smile
To Scott, Brett, Rhonda, Ross and Brad…..Your Dad was one of a kind! My sincere condolences and I wish I could be there at the services for all of you…stand proud and know that he loved you deeply.
Rhonda and Brad, We are so sorry about your dad. I know how close yal were to him and how much you loved him. My heart is sad for you and cries with you. But he will always be with you and will always be watching over you. Always make him proud.
We may not be able to attend the services because of the time of day and the location, but yal will be in our thoughts and prayers. Call us if you need anything. Lisa and Al
Dear Rhonda and Brad the only 2 children of Ron’s that I have met,
I hope through all of this, you two remain strong for each other, as he has raised the two of you to become. I’ve only talked with Ron once, and he asked me, “why do you love my daughter so much?” I said, “why wouldn’t anyone love her?” He thought for a moment-smiled, and shook his head in agreeness and said, “thanks, I needed that.” At the time, I did not understand why he made the comment, however, through time I finally figured it out. He loved you very much Rhonda and he always will forever. You are always in my prayers and thoughts as always. Brad, my bro–I am sorry you weren’t ready for this, however you are strong, as your sister is, try and be there for each other. You’re all each other has. My condolences to the rest of the Herendeens, family, and friends.
Dear Scott,Rhonda,Bret, Ross, Brad,
Your DAD was a great man that I had the pleasure of knowing. I will miss Ronnie. My heart goes out to his friends and family, he will be greatly missed. Be strong for each other. I know your DAD would be glad that all of you are together and there for each other through this hard time in your life. I am very sorry that I can not be there with you guys for a shoulder to cry on. My heart will be there.
I LOVE YOU SCOTTY!!
RON, NOW YOU ARE AT PEACE. SINCE YOU ARE NOT HERE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PLANTS WHEN WE TRAVEL. PLEASE ASK GOD TO GIVE US RAIN DURING THOSE TIMES. WE WILL AND ALREADY DO MISS YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS, HECTOR and SYLVIA
TO: SCOTT, BRETT, RHONDA, BRAD and ROSS,
I MEANT TO ADDRESS YOU WHEN I ORIGINALLY SIGNED IN, BUT I’M GLAD I WAITED TILL I MET YOU!
I WANT TO TELL YOU WHAT A PLEASURE IT WAS TO MEET THOSE OF YOU THAT WE HAD NOT MET BEFORE. WE CAN SEE A LITTLE OF RON IN EACH OF YOU. RON HAD A TWINKLE IN HIS EYES THAT MADE YOU WANT TO SMILE AS SOON AS YOU TALKED TO HIM. WE HAD ONLY BEEN NEIGHBORS FOR 18+ MONTHS YET HE MADE US FEEL LIKE WE HAD KNOWN HIM FOREVER. THE THING THAT IMPRESSED US SO MUCH IS THAT MOST DIVORCED MEN, JOKING OR OTHER WISE ALWAYS SEEM TO HAVE NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT THEIR EX MATES. NOT RON, I NEVER HEARD HIM UTTER A NEGATIVE REMARK ABOUT THEM OR ANYONE. HE LOVED HIS CHILDREN AND FAMILY UNCONDITIONALLY AND SAID ONCE THAT WAS THE ONLY REALLY GOOD THING HE DID IN HIS LIFE WAS TO HAVE GREAT KIDS FOLLOWED BY SUPER GRANDKIDS. AFTER MEETING YOU I SAY WHAT BETTER LEGACY THAN CHILDREN LIKE YOU. MAKE HIM PROUD THE REST OF YOUR LIVES, HE’LL BE WATCHING. GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. IF WE’RE EVER NEEDED PLEASE BE SURE TO CALL. WE’LL BE HERE TILL IT’S OUR TURN FOR THAT FINAL WALK AND MEET UP WITH RON ONCE AGAIN. HECTOR and SYLVIA
Dear Scott and Karen;
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. I know it is painful losing a parent. If you need anything just let me know. I am here for you both. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am very sorry for your loss. I did not know Ron but have had the pleasure of working with Lorna for the past fifteen years. It is good to see how many experiences he had throughout his life. Again, I am very sorry for your loss.