Ronald Eugene Spry

Ronald Eugene Spry of Story City, Iowa lost his battle with dementia on Saturday, February 18. He was 77 years old. Born April 26, 1945 in South Bend, Indiana. Ron was the son of Virginia L., (Reece) Spry and Harry W. Spry, Jr. He had one sibling, Judy Maddox of New Albany, Indiana.

In 1964, he graduated from South Bend Central High School and spent one year at Indiana University.

Ron was very proud of his military background. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1964 and was stationed in Selfridge Military Base in Mount Clemons, Michigan. He served with the First Combat Support Group, First Fighter Wing Unit. There he met and married his first wife, Linda Palmer now Linda Johnson of Decorah, Iowa. They were married on April 30, 1966 at the base chapel. They had two children, Jennifer Spry-Knutson of Story City and Christopher Spry of Spring Valley, Minnesota.

During his life, Ron was very career oriented receiving his bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University in Business Administration and a Certificate of Operations/Industrial Management - Aurora University. In 1981 he completed his paralegal degree at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.

He had worked for several companies: International Minerals and Chemicals of Mundelein, Illinois, Papermate Pen Company, Chicago Illinois, Shaffer Pen Company, Fort Madison, Iowa, North American Car Company, Chicago, Illinois, Colt Industries- Fairbanks Morse Engine Division, Beloit, Wisconsin, Colborne Manufacturing Company, Glenview, Illinois, Midwest Automation Systems in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, and Williams Healthcare Systems Elgin Illinois.

In January 2013 Ron moved to Iowa to be closer to his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed interacting with his caregivers and other residents. He had a passion for reading, researching, and learning new things and always had several books at his bedside.

He is survived by his sister Judy (Warren) Maddox of New Albany, his daughter Jennifer Spry-Knutson and son-in-law (Anthony Edwards) of Story City, son Chris Spry (Kari Mensink) of Spring Valley, Minnesota. Grandchildren Kaylee Knutson of Story City, Kole Knutson of Story City, Codey Hayek and wife (Brittany) of Cresco, Iowa, Cavan Spry of Decorah, Iowa, Dylan Spry of Decorah, Iowa, Teigan Spry of Spring Valley, Minnesota. He also had several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews in Iowa, Indiana, and Florida.

Soderstrum Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.

Cremation has taken place, and there will be a small graveside service later.

Posted online on February 23, 2023

Published in South Bend Tribune

02/23/2023 EJS