Ronald Allen “Ron” Dolezan
January 19th, 1953 - March 13th, 2022
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Ron's Obituary
Ronald Allen Dolezan left this earth and was reunited with his Mom and Dad on Sunday, March 13, 2022 when he ultimately lost his war with pancreatic cancer. Though the cancer prevailed in the war, he won many battles and endured 14 rounds of some of the toughest chemotherapy known to man. He was born January 19, 1953 to Ky and Nina Dolezan of Coloma, Michigan and was lucky to have an older brother, Gary, who helped him get into plenty of trouble growing up.
As part of this fantastic family, he grew up working on the farm, hunting, fishing, playing cards and being a mischievous young boy. On the farm he fondly remembered picking apples and peaches, but always said there was way too much asparagus to pick. As the youngest he was tasked often with driving the tractor, which needed to have blocks of wood tied to the pedals in order for him to reach. This may be where his love of motorized vehicles was born.
When the opportunity to move to the lake came up, he and his family moved to Paw Paw Lake where he enjoyed fishing with his Dad and brother as well as various water sports.
The family would head north each fall and they would hunt. He loved to hunt, all things camouflage and was able to make several trips with his Dad, brother and cousins (later with his son) to places for animals other than white tail deer. He has many mounts, antler racks, turkey tails all of which he holds “deer” to his heart. He would share the memories of hunting with anyone who wanted to listen. One of his favorite hunting memories includes the day that his wife, joined him in the turkey blind. There were few places he enjoyed being more than he enjoyed being in the woods.
Ron attended Coloma High School where he undoubtedly was known for his love of cars as he drove many throughout his years there, or maybe just one – with a lot of different paint jobs. Those early times driving tractor on the farm not only helped him to love to drive, they also helped him learn to drive, which nearly got him in trouble when he drove himself to drivers training.
He graduated High School in 1971 and began dating the woman who would become his wife soon after. He and Pam were married on November 2, 1974. They moved to Stevensville, Michigan not long after where they were blessed with 2 children. Ron loved Pam with all of his heart, and would do anything for her which was not limited to late night runs to the gas station to make sure her car was always full and ready to go.
He worked early in his marriage at Family Foods in Benton Harbor, Michigan as the Produce Manager. Later, he began working as a real estate appraiser which allowed him to work from home before it was commonplace. He loved this work and it afforded him the luxury to be flexible in his hours which allowed him to be active in the community, coaching both softball and baseball teams, junior high football and volunteering his time with the youth baseball and softball organization as well as the football boosters.
Many will remember him for his kind and loving personality, bad jokes and big hugs. He gave the best hugs which made anything that hurt feel better, put the cherry on top of all good things, and made each hello and good-bye filled with so much love.
He is survived by his wife, Pam of Stevensville, children Heather (Bill) Bamlet of Hayfield, MN and Kevin (Kellie) Dolezan of Stevensville. 5 grandchildren (Annabelle, Leonora and Ardella Bamlet, Teigan and Tyson Dolezan). His brother Gary (Chic, step nephews Jason Puckett and Tanner Marshall) Dolezan, brother-in-law, Steve (Stacey) Nutting, niece (Bridgett) and nephews (Kyle Dolezan and Ryan and Tanner Nutting). He is also survived by his silver lab, Remy.
He is preceded in death by his parents Ky and Nina Dolezan, His mother and father-in-law Dwight and Dorothy Nutting and a whole slew of family pets.
Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at 11:00 AM at the Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from 10AM until the time of service at the funeral home. The family asks that you “come as you are” as Ron was never one who liked to dress up. Feel free to dress up if you like, but if you prefer something camo or sports related (bonus if it’s Tigers, Steelers or bears a large maize colored M). Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 269-556-9450.
Memorial donations can be made to the Lakeshore Football or Lakeshore Softball Boosters (checks to Lakeshore Public Schools, specify Ron Dolezan Memorial and sport in the memo and can be mailed to 5771 Cleveland Ave., Stevensville, MI 49127) or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, pancan.org.
In his memory, his family asks you take a shot of your favorite whisky along with them on every March 13.
As part of this fantastic family, he grew up working on the farm, hunting, fishing, playing cards and being a mischievous young boy. On the farm he fondly remembered picking apples and peaches, but always said there was way too much asparagus to pick. As the youngest he was tasked often with driving the tractor, which needed to have blocks of wood tied to the pedals in order for him to reach. This may be where his love of motorized vehicles was born.
When the opportunity to move to the lake came up, he and his family moved to Paw Paw Lake where he enjoyed fishing with his Dad and brother as well as various water sports.
The family would head north each fall and they would hunt. He loved to hunt, all things camouflage and was able to make several trips with his Dad, brother and cousins (later with his son) to places for animals other than white tail deer. He has many mounts, antler racks, turkey tails all of which he holds “deer” to his heart. He would share the memories of hunting with anyone who wanted to listen. One of his favorite hunting memories includes the day that his wife, joined him in the turkey blind. There were few places he enjoyed being more than he enjoyed being in the woods.
Ron attended Coloma High School where he undoubtedly was known for his love of cars as he drove many throughout his years there, or maybe just one – with a lot of different paint jobs. Those early times driving tractor on the farm not only helped him to love to drive, they also helped him learn to drive, which nearly got him in trouble when he drove himself to drivers training.
He graduated High School in 1971 and began dating the woman who would become his wife soon after. He and Pam were married on November 2, 1974. They moved to Stevensville, Michigan not long after where they were blessed with 2 children. Ron loved Pam with all of his heart, and would do anything for her which was not limited to late night runs to the gas station to make sure her car was always full and ready to go.
He worked early in his marriage at Family Foods in Benton Harbor, Michigan as the Produce Manager. Later, he began working as a real estate appraiser which allowed him to work from home before it was commonplace. He loved this work and it afforded him the luxury to be flexible in his hours which allowed him to be active in the community, coaching both softball and baseball teams, junior high football and volunteering his time with the youth baseball and softball organization as well as the football boosters.
Many will remember him for his kind and loving personality, bad jokes and big hugs. He gave the best hugs which made anything that hurt feel better, put the cherry on top of all good things, and made each hello and good-bye filled with so much love.
He is survived by his wife, Pam of Stevensville, children Heather (Bill) Bamlet of Hayfield, MN and Kevin (Kellie) Dolezan of Stevensville. 5 grandchildren (Annabelle, Leonora and Ardella Bamlet, Teigan and Tyson Dolezan). His brother Gary (Chic, step nephews Jason Puckett and Tanner Marshall) Dolezan, brother-in-law, Steve (Stacey) Nutting, niece (Bridgett) and nephews (Kyle Dolezan and Ryan and Tanner Nutting). He is also survived by his silver lab, Remy.
He is preceded in death by his parents Ky and Nina Dolezan, His mother and father-in-law Dwight and Dorothy Nutting and a whole slew of family pets.
Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at 11:00 AM at the Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, from 10AM until the time of service at the funeral home. The family asks that you “come as you are” as Ron was never one who liked to dress up. Feel free to dress up if you like, but if you prefer something camo or sports related (bonus if it’s Tigers, Steelers or bears a large maize colored M). Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 269-556-9450.
Memorial donations can be made to the Lakeshore Football or Lakeshore Softball Boosters (checks to Lakeshore Public Schools, specify Ron Dolezan Memorial and sport in the memo and can be mailed to 5771 Cleveland Ave., Stevensville, MI 49127) or to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, pancan.org.
In his memory, his family asks you take a shot of your favorite whisky along with them on every March 13.
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