Ronald A. Waszkowiak

Ronald A. Waszkowiak 78 of La Salle passed away on Saturday February 25, 2017, surrounded by his family at St Anthony’s Medical Center Rockford. Mass of Christian Burial will be 3:00 PM Friday March 3 in St Hyacinth Church La Salle. Rev Jacob Valle will officiate. La Salle-Oglesby Veterans Memorial Group will conduct Military Honors following the services at church. Ron is being cremated and will return home to rest. Visitation will be Friday in the church from 1-3 PM. Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. Ron was born April 5,1938 at St Mary’s Hospital in La Salle to Martin and Theresa (Rogalla) Waszkowiak. He married Sharon Schmidt October 1,1966 in Holy Rosary Church La Salle. Ron attended La Salle- Peru High School. He went to the Army shortly after where he was a Staff Sargent and a tank commander while stationed in Berlin. He was protecting the border between East and West Germany at the wall from 1961-1963. He was proud of being a member of the Big Red 1. He loved golf, Euchre, Solitaire, boating and driving his car while listening to old country music. Ron was an excellent father and grandfather. He was always entertaining, he enjoyed telling jokes even if he only laughed at them, he also enjoyed singing, telling stories and playing his accordion. Ron especially enjoyed being with his two brothers. They were the three musketeers and had many adventures. Ron was lifelong member of St Hyacinth Church and attended St Hyacinth Grade School and was an altar boy for the church. He was also a member of South Shore Boat Club, UAW Union, Knights of Columbus Calvert Council La Salle, La Salle CWV, Peru Eagle’s Club and was an avid White sox fan. Ron was a maintenance supervisor at caterpillar in Joliet and worked there for over 40 years retiring in 1999. Ron is survived by his wife Sharon of La Salle, 1 son Steven (Elizabeth) Waszkowiak of St Charles, IL, 2 daughters Laura (Erick Nordtvedt) Taylor of La Salle and Jennifer (Heath) Flicker of Scottsdale, AZ. His 6 grandchildren Jennifer, Richard, Sarah and Ryan Taylor. Kate and Ava Waszkowiak. His 2 brothers Gerald (Pat) Waszkowiak of La Salle and Arthur (Mary Ann) Washkowiak of La Salle. He was preceded in death by his parents. Pallbearers will be Jennifer, Richard, Sarah and Ryan as requested by their grandfather, whom they loved dearly. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the La Salle Food Pantry Illinois Valley PADS Homeless Shelter or St Jude Children’s Hospital.