West Lebanon - Ronald M. Cates, 72, West Lebanon, passed away in the Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, on Friday, January 8, 2021.
Ron, as he was known to family and friends, was born in Danville, Illinois on June 15, 1948. He was the son of Willard Cates of Covington and the late Ruth (Shelley) Cates. Ron was raised in Cates and Covington, graduating from Covington High School in 1966. He later moved to Marshfield in 1995 and more recently to West Lebanon in 2014.
Ron formerly worked at General Motors in Danville for 30 years, retiring in 1995.
He attended the Harvest Chapel Church in Williamsport. He enjoyed bowling and bowled on many leagues in Covington. He like to ride his full dressed Harley Davidson motorcycle. Ron enjoyed tinkering with old cars and had a 1959 convertible hard-top Skyline restored that was his pride and joy. He enjoyed the time spent with his family and spoiling the grandchildren.
On December 10, 1966, Ron married Linda K. Harper in Veedersburg, IN. He leaves behind his wife of 54 years along with a daughter, Ronette (Johnathan) Lape, West Lebanon and a son, Bryan Cates, West Lebanon; his father, Willard Cates, Covington; a brother, Robert (Jane) Cates, Covington; seven grandchildren, Leslie Cates, Alyssa Nixon, Ryne Cates, Jody (Brittany) Cates, Amanda (Jesse) Schad, Blayne Lape and Taylor Lape; seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth (Shelly) Cates along with a son, Bradley Cates and a daughter, Lisa Cates.
Friends may call at Maus Funeral Home, Attica on Friday, January 15th, from 11:00 a.m. until service time at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Greg Tyra officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery, Covington. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the Riley's Children's Hospital.