Ronald Yarger

Funeral Services: Wednesday, February 15, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at the Massena United Methodist Church. Pastor John Greenlee will officiate the service. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at the church.

Visitation: Will be Held on Tuesday at the Steen Funeral Home in Massena from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 4 to 7 p.m.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers memorials my directed to the Ronald L. Yarger memorial fund to be established by the family at a later date.

Ronald Lee Yarger was born on September 21, 1932, in Massena, Iowa, the son of Harley and Sylvia (Conine) Yarger. He passed away on Friday, February 10, 2012, at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 79.

Ronald was raised and attended all years of school in Massena, graduating in 1950. Ron married Mary Ellen Hitt on June 1, 1952, in Massena, Iowa and to this union three children were born. Ron served in the Army during the Korean Conflict, stationed in England at Colliers End Army Air Force Base, during this time his wife joined him. After leaving the Army he took over the grocery store owned by his father Harley. He ran the store, Economy Food Market, for 53 years with several exceptions, one being associated with the Massena Farm Center. He greatly loved working for the public and the many organizations he belonged to, including the Massena Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, and Massena Historical Society. He also served as mayor and city councilman for several years. He was a director on the Massena Telephone Board and was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church. One of his many delights, after loving and playing with his grandchildren, was playing golf with his brother-in-law Jake in his retirement years. One thing that can be said about Ron, he always had a cheerful disposition and never said an unkind word about anyone. He and his wife Mary Ellen took many trips together, back to England several times and to other countries.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; sister Wilma Way; brothers-in-law, Harold Way and Ewing Ellis; and great granddaughter, Marah Leigh Yarger.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen Yarger of Massena; three children, Sandra Roberts and husband Jim of Wolcott, Colorado, son, Ronald Yarger II (Tag) and wife Christine of Wahoo, Nebraska, and son, Jeff Yarger and wife Caryn of Eagle, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Pascoe and Jamie Roberts, Alex Yarger, Abby Dagel, Katie Smith, Sophie Yarger and Caitlin Yarger; four step grandchildren, Nick, Wade and Jared Thompson and Charlotte Nestor; eleven great grandchildren; sister, Jeanette Patach and husband Don of Lakeland, Florida; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.