Ronald Coleman Garrett

Ronald Coleman Garrett, of Plano, Illinois, went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 12, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on August 25, 1936 in Fairdale, Kentucky, the son of William and Vivian (Cundiff) Garrett. After school, he followed his brother’s footsteps and joined the U.S. Army. Ron was with the 101st Airborne Division Paratroopers out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Following the service, he was a proud member of the Iron Workers Local #1 in Chicago, and a retired member of Local #393 in Aurora, in which he built many structures throughout the Midwest, especially Chicago and the suburbs. He celebrated 55 years of marriage with his loving wife Shirley (Boles) on Sunday, May 3, a milestone he wanted to achieve. Together, they were members of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sandwich. Birdwatching, working crosswords puzzles, reading his Bible, anything carpentry, watching old Westerns, as well as spending time with his family were his favorite hobbies and activities. He will be dearly missed by all his family and friends. He is survived by his wife Shirley (Boles), his children, Rhonda (Randy) Place, and Jeana (Jeff) Wiley. His is also survived by his four granddaughters: Ashley (Dustin) Place-Ohlman, Shawna Wiley, Samantha Place, and Alyssa Wiley. He is also survived by his four great-grandchildren: Gabriel Place, Serenity “Reni” Wiley, and Gavin and Elliot Ohlman. He is also survived by his brothers Marvin and David, his loving sister Lora Tilley, as well as many nieces and nephews, some of which he fondly considered as his own--Mitch, Billy, Galen, and Julie Garrett. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers: Alvin, Ralph, Elzie, Jesse “Ernie”, Basil, and Jack, and his sisters: Nellie, Rose Elberta, and Mary Catherine Johnson. He is preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Yvonne, who is now walking the streets of heaven with. No funeral or visitation will be held since Ron’s wishes were to donate his body to science for Illinois medical universities, which he had been a patient at them over the years. For those wishing to donate in his memory, donations can be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church 701 Lions Road Sandwich, Illinois to fund a chair lift.