Ron’s life began October 13, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan. He spent most of his life in the Detroit area until a couple years ago when he and his wife Sharon retired to Coloma. After high school while Ron was in college he was drafted to the United States Army Black Knight division and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. During his service Ron earned the rank of Sergeant (E-5) and many medals among them a Purple Heart. After serving his country Ron returned home and went to work at Tishken Products in Oak Park until retirement. In his free time you could find Ron enjoying his train collection, building model airplanes, or flying radio controlled planes; he also enjoyed computers and tinkering in electronics. Ron’s favorite hobby was restoring his 1978 Ford LTD. He also enjoyed being out doors boating and camping. Ron was a man who enjoyed being “on the go” he liked to shop especially at Harbor Freight or he was always up for finding a good coffee shop. Ron was a connoisseur of coffee brewers, with an extensive collection.
Above everything Ron was a family man and enjoyed doing things with his family such as taking them on trips, especially to his favorite destination Niagara Falls. He just celebrated 51 loving years with his wife Sharon (Wilkens) Gimik who he met exchanging letters while he was in boot camp. Ron’s loving family he leaves behind to cherish his memory includes: his wife Sharon; three children Kenneth (Angie) Gimik, Michele (Michael) Shannon, and Steven Gimik (Tina Crowley); nine grandchildren Victoria, Joshua, Leo, Max, Mackenzie, Michael, Liam, Julia, and Stephanie; a great grandson Reese; two siblings Joe Gimik and Cathy (Paul) Booth; many nieces and nephews; and a former daughter-in-law Colleen Gimik.
Ron died Tuesday, October 19, 2021, at Spectrum Health Lakeland in St. Joseph. He is preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Irene (Sarnowski) Gimik.
Friends may visit with Ron’s family Sunday, October 24, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Hutchins Funeral Home in Watervliet, Michigan where funeral services will be celebrated Monday, October 25, at 11:00 AM.
Burial will follow in Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Memorials may be made in Ron’s memory to Parkinson’s Foundation.
Posted On: Thursday, October 21, 2021 3:40 PM
