Ronald "Ron" E. Read, 81, of Olney, passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2017, at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney.  He was born on April 16, 1936 in Richland Co., IL, the son of Homer and Myrtle (Tarpley) Read.  He married Arlene (Dietrich) on March 29, 1958, in Olney, IL and she survives.

Ron retired from ERHS after teaching math for 20 years. While teaching he worked part time as a carpenter, which he continued doing full time after retirement. Ron was active in 4-H, his church, FFA, and was a guitar player and singer in the local opry's. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and could always be found tinkering in his workshop. Ron took pleasure in raising a vegetable garden as well as fruit trees, grape vines, and honey bees. He traveled with his wife, Arlene, on organized bank bus trips, some as far as Switzerland. Ron was a faithful follower of Christ and dearly loved his family.

Ron is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Arlene Read; sons, David Read and wife Karen of Olney and Dennis Read and wife Lisa of Bonita, CA; granddaughters, Nicole (Kyle) Strohl and Megan (Ryan) Epperheimer; great grandson, Maddox Epperheimer; brother, Bill (Geraldine) Read of Vincennes, IN.

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Services at Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney.

Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney obituary - November 2, 2017