Sept. 7, 1938 — April 30, 2016

On April 30, 2016, Ron Spain went to be with the Lord. His last day was spent working in his garage, going out and getting the family dinner and being the man we all knew him to be. He will be truly missed by all of us.

Ron was born in Potomac, Illinois, on Sept. 7, 1938, to the late Fred Thomas Pain and Hulda Alena Hoskins. When he was 17 he joined the Navy and spent four years traveling the world on the U.S.S. Ticonderoga and the U.S.S. Essix carriers, where he became a barber.

Ron married Rosemary Bueche in 1963 in Niles, Michigan, and they have been married for 52 years. They raised four boys together and stayed in Niles.

In 1979, Ron started his own company called ST Laminating in Elkhart, Indiana and operated it until his retirement in 1999.

Ron spent his retirement years working in his garage, going to auctions, working on cars and his lawn mowers and spending time with his family. He loved his motorhome and made many trips throughout the years.

Ron is survived by his wife Rosemary, sons Jim (Joanne) Gipson, Mike (Danita) Gipson, Ron (Elizabeth) Gipson, Tom (Vickie) Spain, Ron (Emilie) Sarratore. He is also survived by grandchildren Joseph (Danielle) Gipson, Alicia (Chris) Parker, Whitney Spain, Kayla Gipson, Brian Spain, Grace Sarratore and Bella Sarratore; great-grandchildren Oscar Gipson, Annabelle Gipson and Camden Parker. He is also survived by sisters Beverly, Lavern and Julia.

Ron had two very special brothers, Fred and Frank Spain and a brother-in-law Roger Marrow, whom he spent many years with working on anything with an engine and being our mentors growing up. You are all missed very much.

There will be no visitation or funeral at Ron’s request.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles.