Ronald M. 'Ron' Ellyson

RONALD M. "RON" ELLYSON

West Branch

Ronald M. "Ron" Ellyson, 93, of West Branch, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at Mercy Iowa City.

Graveside services with military rites will begin Friday at 2 p.m. at the West Branch Cemetery. Instead of flowers and plants, the family suggests memorial donations to Iowa City Hospice, West Branch Lion's Club or the West Branch American Legion. Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service in Iowa City is handling Ron's arrangements. Social distancing guidelines will be in place and masks are required please.

Born May 13, 1927, in West Branch, Iowa, the son of Austin and Ina (Thomas) Ellyson. Ron grew up in West Branch and attended country schools. In 1945, during his senior year of high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy with two friends from West Branch and served on the USS Hornet during World War II, from 1945 until 1947.

Ron married Catherine "Kaye" Murphy July 22, 1948, in West Branch. They lived in the West Branch area most of their married life except for a few years in the 1950s, when they moved to Redondo Beach, Calif. The couple raised their children and shared a devoted life for 62 years, until Catherine's death in 2010.

His career in construction spanned 50 years. Ron worked for Paulson Construction in West Branch for 28 years and also operated R&G Ellyson Construction with his son Greg for over 20 years, retiring in 1997.

He was a charter member of the West Branch American Legion, and also a longtime member of West Branch Lion's Club.

Survivors include his son, Greg (Kat) Ellyson of West Branch; daughter, Pamela K. Long of Ankeny; grandson, Thad Long (Stacey Young-Long) of Bondurant and their children, Ellyson "Elly," Louis and Simon; and granddaughter, Catherine Downing (Jason) of Norwalk and their children, Jace and Taylor.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Catherine; and two brothers, Philip and Iral.

Thoughts may be shared with the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.