Sixth Generation

247. Ronald Robert "Ron" CLAY was born on 20 June 1934 in Warrens, Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.^76,291 He lived at his home in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI in 1965.²⁰⁵ He died on 7 January 2010 at the age of 75 in Des Moines, Polk County, IA.²⁹¹

Obituary Notes: "Ronald (Ron) Clay passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2010, at The Kavanugh House on 56th Street in Des Moines, IA, with his loving wife Gerrie by his side. Ron was born June 20, 1934, to Francis and Hulda Clay in Warrens, WI. Ron was raised in the Warrens area by his grandparents Robert and Grace Hoffman. It was in Warrens where Ron attended grade school and made many lifelong friends who he kept in touch with his entire life. Ron graduated from the Tomah High School in 1952.

On June 10, 1956, Ron married Gerrie Honel in Tomah. They were married for over 53 years and added to their union three daughters, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom enriched his life with much love and happiness.

Ron was a member of the U.S. Army and served in Korea. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1962. He and his wife then lived in Tomah, and Ron worked for Rezin Construction Company. Later, he joined the Milwaukee Railroad and was transferred to Perry, IA, where he worked as a heavy equipment supervisor. Ron retired from the railroad in June of 1996.

Ron’s greatest enjoyment was his family. He and Gerrie spent many weekends watching their daughters play softball and basketball. Ron traveled during the week while working for the railroad, and if there was a ball game played within a 50-mile radius, he would get to the game to cheer his girls on. His love and support helped them become the fine women they are today. They have been able to pass this love on to their own children. Ron has 10 wonderful grandchildren who were so special to him; all unique and special in their own way. They will always remember their grandpa being at all of their games, recitals, programs and special accomplishments and always being so proud of all of them. Ron also had the joy of watching the next generation of his family begin as he had three great-grandchildren. Ron also found enjoyment in gardening, fishing, hunting, doing carpentry, watching the Hawkeye and Cyclone football teams, as well as his beloved Green Bay Packers, and, of course, going to the many casinos with Gerrie.

Ron was preceded in death by a grandson, Jared Smith; his father Francis Lyle Clay and mother Hulda Wildes; in-laws Carl and Charlotte Honel and step-father Herbert Wildes.

Ron is survived by his loving wife Gerrie, his daughters Deborah (Carl) Smith of Des Moines, Pamela (Randy) Ballard of Perry, and Mishelle (Brad) Johnson of Johnston; 10 grandchildren Jacob, Jennifer, Kristin “Buzzard”, and Karmin Ballard, Juli, Kyle, and Matthew Smith, and Kellen, Bryce and Mryn Johnson; three great-grandchildren Chloe, Issac and Elias Ballard (children of Jacob and Shannon Ballard). He is also survived by a brother Fran (Ellen) Clay of Kingman, AZ; also a half-sister Lois (Jack) Pierce, two half-brothers Loren (Vicki) Wildes and Lee (Linda) Wildes, and brother-in-law Bob Honel, all of the Tomah area. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was at Carris Funeral home in Perry, IA, on Monday, Jan. 11, from 1 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services were held at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church on Tuesday, Jan. 12, at 10:30 a.m. Burial followed at the Violet Hill Cemetery, where military rites were provided. If we could ask Ron (Dad) one more time how he was feeling right now, today, he would say to us, “BEAUTIFUL.”"

Ronald Robert "Ron" CLAY and Geraldine Ann "Gerri" HONEL were married on 10 June 1956 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^201,291 Geraldine Ann "Gerri" HONEL, daughter of Carl HONEL and Charlotte UNKNOWN (HONEL), was born on 11 May 1937 in Monroe County, WI.⁷⁶ She graduated in 1955 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁴⁰ from Tomah High School.

Ronald Robert "Ron" CLAY and Geraldine Ann "Gerri" HONEL had the following children: