March 9, 1939 — Oct. 21, 2015

Ronald John Walz, 76, of Niles, Michigan died on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, at Borgess Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac, Michigan following an illness. He was born March 4, 1939, in Dowagiac to John and Martha (Hein) Walz.

Ron gradated from Dowagiac High School in 1957 and attended Western Michigan University, where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education. Ron was retired from Brandywine School Corporation, where he taught physics and other science classes for many years, served as yearbook advisor and also on the Brandywine Education Association. Ron also taught adult education classes at Southwestern Michigan College.

On Oct. 7, 1961. at Saint Johns Lutheran Church in Dowagiac, Ron married Sharon Mosher, a former classmate, and with whom he recently celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary. Sharon survives with their children, Jennifer (& Scott) Rieth of Niles and Joel Walz of Kalamazoo and four grandchildren, Jenna and Jessica Walz and Keegan and Kaiden Rieth.

Ron was preceded in death by his brother, Dewain D. Walz.

The funeral service for Ronald John Walz will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles the Rev. Edward H. Slate of Faith United Methodist Church in Buchanan officiating.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Donations in memory of Ron may be made to either Brandywine High School or to the American Alzheimer’s Association.

www.halbritterfunerals.com