Ronald Thomas DeLong age 86, of Wapakoneta, Ohio passed into eternity peacefully surrounded by family at 10:20 a.m., Monday, Aug. 29, 2022 at Mercy Health- St. Rita’s Medical Center, Lima, Ohio.
Ron was passionate about his faith, his family and the agricultural community in this region. He was a pillar of strength wherever he served, and he has left a legacy to aspire to for those that survive him. He was strong, passionate, faith based, tough, resilient, loving and kind. He will be missed dearly.
Ron was born in Lima to Thomas and Gladys (Spyker) DeLong of Cridersville on August 9, 1936. His sister, Janet Parcel survives and resides in Lima. After graduating from Shawnee High School in 1954 he started his own dairy, grain and hog operation in Allen County. It was then he met Deloris, his loving wife of 63 years. Ron and Dee were married on December 7, 1957 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Cridersville. Dee survives and will continue to reside in Auglaize County.
In 1963 Ron and Dee purchased an 80-acre farm between Wapak and Cridersville and have added acreage to it over the years. This farm has always been the place Ron called home. Ron augmented his farming with numerous other jobs. He was a welder at Baldwin Lima Hamilton, a feed sales representative at Landmark, Inc., a grain merchandiser at Auglaize County Farmers Co-op, the general manager for Garvey Elevators in Hastings, Nebraska and the general manager for Allen County Co-op in New Haven, Indiana.
In 2001 Ron and Dee started Agri-Sales- an agricultural services company specializing in fertilizers and agricultural compounds designed with the purpose of improving farmers yields and profitability. They successfully ran the business for 18 years- selling it in 2019. They had a second company- Agri-Warehouse which will continue.
Ron was also a lifelong active servant at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Cridersville and Emanuel Lutheran Church in New Haven, Indiana. Ron served as elder, President of the congregation, Sunday School Superintendent, church council chairman, choir member and softball team member throughout his life. Ron played softball at St. Matthew for over 4 decades. He also was a member of numerous professional organizations and was particularly fond of 4H and FFA. He was a passionate youth baseball coach and was personally responsible for Wapak’s first traveling baseball youth team in 1977-78.
Ron is survived by wife Deloris, a son Chris Allan (Karol Ann) DeLong of Nashville, TN, a daughter Vicki DeLong (Brad) Rivers of Benton, KY, 4 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren and a great granddaughter.
Family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 800 Green Street New Haven, IN 46774, a funeral service will follow at 3 with Pastor Scott Zeckzer, officiating.
Family will receive friends from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Bayliff & Son Funeral Home, Cridersville, OH, a short service will follow. Graveside services and burial will be in St. Matthew Cemetery near Cridersville with Pastor Scott Zeckzer officiating.
In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to The New Haven Food Bank 800 Green St. New Haven, IN 46774.
To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Ronald T DeLong, please visit our Tribute Store.