Ron Hughes , 85, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 3, 2023 at Midwest Medical Center in Galena.

Ron was born August 8, 1937 in Freeport to Henrietta (Winter) and Donald Hughes. He married Eileen Zink on May 20, 1967 at St. John Lutheran Church in Massbach.

Ron grew up on the family farm in Woodbine, which he and Eileen made their first home when they married. They soon moved south of Stockton to "Yankee Hollow" and lived there for fifteen years before moving to "the suburbs of Woodbine" in 1984.

Through the years, Ron hauled milk, drove truck for Schamberger, Logemann, and McMorhan Trucking Companies, worked at Dittmar Shell Station, and was a maintenance electrician at Kraft Cheese and then Atwood Automotive / Dura in Stockton. He retired in 1999 and became "Eileen's Secretary," helping her with cake deliveries and set up and calculating quilting geometry, making special fabric cutting templates for her use.

He had a lifelong passion for flight and owned a Luscombe airplane when he was just 17. Ron joined the Navy after graduating from Stockton High School in 1955. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea and was honorably discharged in 1958.

Ron was always creative and innovative in fixing things, providing unique solutions to challenges. He loved helping others and had a special place in his heart for his family and neighbors.

Ron was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Eileen, who passed just one month prior. He is survived by their daughter Janelle (Steve) Keeffer of Galena, granddaughters Erin Keeffer (Des Moines, IA) and Elyse Keeffer (Cedar Rapids, IA), his sister Neenah (Carl) Fairbairn (Ridott, IL), sister-in-law Merri Hughes (Lena, IL), and beloved nieces, nephews, and in-laws. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother David Hughes.

Memorial services will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Massbach (8315 S. Massbach Road, Elizabeth, IL) on Saturday, January 7. Visitation begins at 10:00 AM; Funeral service at 11:30 AM. Burial with military honors will be at St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

The family sincerely thanks the compassionate staff at Midwest Medical Center and Midwest Senior Care Community for their recent care.