Hertel, Ronald G.

Ronald G. Hertel, 81, of Iowa City, died Sunday, June 10, 2012, at his home under the loving care of his family and Iowa City Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 14, 2012, at First Christian Church in Coralville, followed by a luncheon for his family and friends and then entombment at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Iowa City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in Ron's memory to First Christian Church or Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at .

Ronald G. Hertel was born Dec. 31, 1930, in South Amana, Iowa, the son of William Frederick and Helene (Shoup) Hertel. Ron graduated from Amana High School in 1949. His older brother, Billy, was killed while serving in World War II, keeping Ron out of military service. Ron worked for Amana Refrigeration, Homestead Implement, Northwestern Bell, and finally retired from AT&T after 35 years of service. He moved to Iowa City in the 1950s.

Ron was united in marriage to Diane Hanson on Aug. 5, 1973, and they have spent a loving and enjoyable relationship for these many years.

He was a member of First Christian Church, Telephone Pioneers of America, and a former member of the Loyal Order of the Moose. Ron was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes fan, enjoyed playing golf, dancing in his younger years, and listening to music, especially when it was live in person!

His family includes his wife, Diane; son, Paul Hertel of Las Vegas, Nev.; daughters, Connie Owen (Ron) of Smithville, Mo., Laura Swanson (Jim) of Marion, Iowa, and Kimberly Hertel (Steve) of Washington, Iowa; son-in-law, Jim Blair (Terri) of West Liberty, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Chris Hertel (Kristal), Austin Swanson, Alyssa Swanson, Amy Heavin (Travis), Kevin Blair (Sara), Tracy McMullen (Chris), and Matt Owen; eight great-grandchildren, Haiden and Megan Hertel, Alex, Gus and Atticus Heavin, Chandler and Killian McMullen, and Scout Owen; his sister-in-law, Helen Hertel; his former wife, Alice Coffey of Marion, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Joy Blair; grandson, Brian Blair; and his brothers, Billy and Henry Hertel.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Ron's family and his services.

Published June 12, 2012 in The Gazette