Ronald K. Cremeens

HOPEDALE - Ronald Keith Cremeens, 86, passed away on January 24, 2024, in Scottsdale, AZ, with his daughter by his side.

Ron was born on October 1, 1937, in Hopedale, IL, to parents Leonard and Hazel Brighton Cremeens. He was the youngest of their ten children, all of whom preceded him in death. Ron graduated from Hopedale Community High School in 1955. He was President of the Student Council his senior year and throughout high school was a member of the baseball, basketball and track teams. In his yearbook, his classmates wrote, "He's certain to be seen wherever fun and mischief beam." - and he lived up to that sentiment his whole life.

Ron married Karen Kay Finch in 1957, and they moved to Normal, IL, to raise their children, Rick and Ronda. They were active members of St. Luke Union Church. He was employed by the US Postal Service in Bloomington and retired in 1993. His favorite pastime was playing softball and he played on multiple teams over the years, including work, church, and friends' teams.

In 1993, Ron and Kay moved to Cave Creek, AZ, where he continued working for the US Postal Service, in Carefree, AZ. He was a member of the Arizona Senior Softball League and was on several teams that played in national tournaments. During his free time, he continued enjoying outdoor activities including rafting through the Grand Canyon, hiking Glacier National Park and enjoyed his floats down the Mackinaw River back home in Illinois.

After Kay's passing in 2003, Ron moved back to Illinois and married Marilyn Imig Martin in 2005, where they were members of the Hopedale United Methodist Church. Marilyn also preceded him in death in 2020. He was a member of the Hopedale Lion's Club. Both he and Marilyn looked forward to volunteering at the annual Hopedale 4th of July festivities.

He is survived by his son, Rick Cremeens (San Francisco, CA); daughter, Ronda Cremeens (Cave Creek, AZ); and stepchildren: Brian (Cheryl) Martin (Green Valley, IL), Brenda Malavolti (Pekin, IL) and Kathy Jeckel (Mason City, IL), as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Monday, April 29, 2024 at Hopedale United Methodist Church.  Pastor Charles Graul will officiate.  Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 am Monday, April 29.  Burial will be in Hittle Grove Cemetery in Armington. Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Tremont is handling the arrangements.

Donations in his memory can be made to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (give.michaeljfox.org); or Disabled American Veterans (help.dav.org) or a church of your choosing.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ronald K. Cremeens, please visit our floral store.