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.jpg) Ron E. Scherer, 74, of Columbia, Illinois, passed away peacefully after an eight-year battle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis on Sunday, February 10, 2019, in his home, surrounded by his wife and daughters.
Ron was born June 13, 1944, in Olney, Illinois, the son of Elza and Freda (Burgener) Scherer. Ron's childhood was spent helping on the family farm, where he learned the value of hard work and a tender appreciation for caring for his livestock. He proudly served as the state treasurer/secretary of Illinois FFA and was the first state officer from Olney.
Ron received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Illinois, where he made lifelong friendships through his fraternity, Alpha Gamma Sigma-IlliDell, and the College of Agriculture. While serving as a graduate assistant, Ron met his future wife, Sharon Tonsor. He maintained a lifelong loyalty to his alma mater, serving on the board of directors for both the University Alumni Association and the Agriculture Alumni Association. He was proud to receive the University of Illinois College of ACES Family Spirit Award and to be selected for the University's King Dad Court. He attended many U of I events and games.
Ron spent nearly 40 years working in the marketing communications field, a career that included serving as Director of Corporate Communications for DEKALB Corporation and owning his own agency, Ron Scherer & Company. His campaigns and projects received numerous regional and national awards. Ron proudly promoted the agriculture industry and was named the St. Louis AgriBusiness Leader of the Year. He served as president of both the St. Louis AgriBusiness Club and the Gateway Chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA). He also served as national president of the Agricultural Relations Council.
In retirement, Ron found new interests and hobbies. Wanting to get back to his roots, Ron and Sharon completed much of the labor building their weekend "farm house" and fishing pond on Claremont land that has been in his family for more than 100 years. Here, Ron began growing and selling Richland Acres popcorn, hosted fish fries and gatherings, and served on the Richland Heritage Museum Foundation Board of Directors. He also researched, wrote and published two books, The Soldier from Illinois and Before the Big Yellow Bus: Remembering the One-Room Schools of Richland County.
Ron was the quintessential family man. He was patient, loving and valued travel, experiences and family time above all things. He reveled in the role of grandfather and always shared unconditional love and encouragement -- as well as a few corny jokes -- with his beloved grandchildren. He enjoyed connecting with people and never knew a stranger. He was fiercely loyal to the people and things he loved and courageously battled his declining health with great faith. He participated in several clinical trials in hopes of making a difference for people battling IPF.
Ron is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sharon (Tonsor) Scherer; daughter Jennifer Gimpert and husband Matt Gimpert of Peachtree City, Georgia; daughter Debbie Keefe and husband Tim Keefe of Charleston, Illinois; grandchildren Elise and Luke Gimpert and Caroline and Owen Keefe; sister-in-law Audrey Scherer; father- and mother-in-law Edward and Maxine Tonsor; brother- and sister-in-law Paul and Jan Tonsor; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elza and Freda Scherer; brother Raymond (Bud) Scherer; and sister Anita (Scherer) Clodfelter.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital: Ron Scherer Memorial Fund (http://giftfunds.stjude.org/RonSchererMemorial) or the Richland Heritage Museum Foundation (www.richlandcountymuseums.org).
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 16, 2019 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Olney, with a visitation beginning at 9:00 AM. Burial will follow at Crest Haven Cemetery.
Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney obituary & photo - February 12, 2019
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Susan Wall (Martin) (1964)
Ron was one of the nicest people I ever knew. We rode back and forth to the University of Illinois many times while we were both students there. I am not surprised that he made such a difference in so many people's lives. I recently read one of his articles in the Olney Daily Mail and thought that I should drop him a line to tell him how much I enjoyed it. He was a kind generous person and I know he will be missed by many, many people. I will have his family in my thoughts and prayers.
Susan Wall Martin Class of 1964
Richard Ray Williams (1960)
Ron was special and I am so happy I got to know him and work with him here on TAC.
Ron Scherer was a member of Barb’s ERHS, Class of 1962, and so, years before he joined TAC as our Historian, I knew of him. However, we didn’t share much until he had written, with his first-cousin, Yvonne Scherer Meckfessel (ERHS Class of 1964), the book, “Before the Big Yellow Bus: remembering the one-room schools of Richland County, Illinois.”
I first paged the book when I met Ron who was selling the book at a booth at the Olney Art Fair in September, three years ago. I saw that Ron’s interest in the history of the people of Richland County very much paralleled the goals of TAC to connect TAC members with each other and with our history. Soon, he and I were publishing the pages you can read here on TAC. Click here to go to his article.
In the process of getting parts of his book in emails to me and then my getting the content on TAC pages, Ron and I shared many conversations. The content was about the publishing; his manner of sharing revealed his character. He was a joy to work with. Very shortly I realized he was one of those remarkable people who would be special to me.
And so today, in writing this notice of his passing, I am sharing a clear and painful loss. I share my sympathies with those of you who loved Ron or, like me, were lucky enough to share some experiences with him.
I suggest that we cerebrate him, stressing joy: the wonderful life of a true and caring man.
Rest in Peace, Ron!