Ronald Rebone

With the love of his life by his side for 51 years, Ronald Rebone embraced every day he was given, taking nothing for granted. He enjoyed so many things, but nothing was of greater importance to him than making memories with his family and friends. A well respected businessman in his community, Rons work ethic was unmatched, providing us all with much to aspire for. He took his role as a father to heart, but just may have argued that his role as a grandfather was his greatest gift. Someone who never let life get the best of him, Ron leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that will never be forgotten. As the forties dawned in America the nation had been seeing gradual improvements in their daily lives after enduring the most trying days we have ever seen due to the Great Depression of the thirties. It was amidst this time of renewed hope that a young family from Muskegon, Michigan, had much to look forward to in their own lives as they celebrated the birth of a new baby boy on December 22, 1940. Ronald Uria was the third of nine children born to his parents, Frank and Mildred (Riggs) Rebone. He was raised in the family home in Fruiport alongside his siblings, John, Tom, Chuck, June, Robert, JoAnn, Fred, and Ellen. Rons father worked as a bus driver while his mother was a homemaker. Family was established as a cornerstone in his life during his formative years as he loved playing with his siblings, hunting and fishing with his brothers, teasing his sisters, and blueberry picking with the whole family. Ron loved going to his Grandma Bardhards cottage and was thrilled to stay with her while recovering from surgery to have his tonsils removed. The times they spent sitting on her front porch were dear memories throughout Rons life. At times he got into his fair share of mischief including the time he jumped from a moving truck in an attempt to avoid getting home late, which left him in need of a hospital visit. It doesnt come as a surprise that Ron established his strong work ethic during his formative years. His earliest years found him working for a farmer when he was 13, and by the time he was 15 Ron was working as a pin setter at the local bowling alley. Ron was later working at Challenge Porcelain. It was during this time that he met the young girl who stole his heart. As a regular at a local restaurant Ron became acquainted with a waitress named Carol DeHaan, and they were smitten with each other right from the start. After dating for just three and a half months, Ron married his sweetheart when she was only 16, which required permission from her mother. The happy couple exchanged their vows at the justice of the peace in Spring Lake on March 25, 1961. Shortly after they were married Ron lost his job, which brought the couple to Kalkaska where he worked at a grocery and gas station. The couple was soon thrilled to welcome their son, Ron, into their hearts and home in 1962. The family of three soon moved to Big Rapids where Ron worked at a gas station with his brother-in-law, Jim, with whom he established a special relationship that lasted a lifetime. They were soon blessed with the birth of their son, Joe, and he was later followed by Todd and Barb. When Carols mother became ill, the Rebone family moved back to Grand Haven to care for her. Since Carols brothers Mike and Randy were so young, Carol and Ron welcomed them into their own family when her mother died. Ron always loved them as his own children. Ron was a genuine family man who made spending time with his family a priority. Every year the family enjoyed a memorable trip to Mackinac Island where there was plenty of camping, fishing, and visits to the Red Barn where they picked out little trinkets that cost around a dime a piece. Fishing trips were common, and in 1988 they began the tradition of fishing trips with Rons sons, brothers, and all the other men in the family who were able to go. Beginning in the early seventies the Rebone family reunions were something Ron looked forward to and were filled with things such as volleyball, euchre, and a big breakfast on Sunday as the long weekend was drawing to a close. With his strong work ethic and desire to provide for his family Ron started a painting and interior business with his brothers, John and Bob. They initially called their business JRB Painting, which later became Rebone Brothers Decorating. It was truly a family affair as all of his kids worked there, and of course Ron expected that they exhibited a strong work ethic as well. For 40 years the brothers had a well known and respected business in their community, a business that continues today as Rebone Custom painting. There were so many things Ron enjoyed through the years, yet nothing was better than sharing his interests with those he loved. He enjoyed playing golf, especially after he retired in 1994, and he even taught Carol to play. When his first grandchildren arrived (twins even!) in 1989 Ron couldnt have been happier, and he always had a special place in his heart for babies. He was a regular at various sporting events for his grandchildren, and he made sure to shovel the snow off the ice of the pond for their ice hockey games during the winter. Ron could even hold his own in a game of water pong among his grandchildren! Traveling with his wife down south was also something he always loved. Both Ron and those who loved him were devastated when he was diagnosed with cancer this past May. His spirit was never dampened, however, including after suffering a setback while traveling in Georgia more recently. Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, Ronald Rebone was a humble man whose love for and dedication to his family was unmatched. He was accompanied by a warm demeanor and a positive outlook that remained intact until he drew his last breath surrounded by his loved ones on the front porch of his grandmothers cottage. Ron will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. Ronald Uria Rebone died on March 23, 2012. Rons family includes his wife, Carol Rebone; children, Michael Brifnek (Linda), Randy Brifnek (Yong i), Ronald W. Rebone, Joe Rebone (Kerrie Mannor), Todd Rebone (Kelly), and Barb (Rebone) McCarthy (John); fifteen grandchildren, Michael, Lindsay (Kurt), Kate (Jeff), Heather, Jessica, Kalie, Sabrina, Adam, Michael, Tyler, Hailey, Garrett, Brandon, Bryant, Luke and Caroline; great-grandchildren, Berkley, Cooper and Dawson; brothers, John (Donna) and Fred; sisters, June (Jim Romine), JoAnn Longcore, and Ellen (Ralph Kingsley); sister-in-law Linda (Sherman) Correll; and several nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Thomas, Chuck and Robert. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at Covenant Community Church, 134 E. Barney Ave, on Saturday, March 31 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please offer your support by visiting www.giveforward.com/ ronrebonefund. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory. Arrangements provided by Clock Life Story-Muskegon.