April 6, 1935 – October 23, 2026
Ronald Alvin Essig
Ronald Alvin Essig, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Uncle and friend, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the age of 91.
Ron was born on April 6, 1935, in Peoria, Illinois, to Alvin Essig and Betty Thiell. He spent his childhood and early adult years in Peoria, where he met the love of his life, June Ruth Marshall, while they were still in high school. Their love story would span a remarkable 64 years of marriage, and a life centered on faith, family, friendship and the joy they found in the people around them.
Hard work was woven into Ron’s character from a remarkably young age. He began working at just eight years old, and over the years his jobs included delivering milk and newspapers and working in a cemetery. After attending Bradley University, Ron worked for Caterpillar before beginning a long career with General Motors. His career would take the growing Essig family from Normal to Geneseo, Rockford and eventually Naperville, Illinois.
Together, Ron and June raised six children: Michael and his wife, Kay; Patrick and his wife, Julie; Kevin; Laurie and her late husband, Terry Fitzpatrick; Craig; and Carrianne and her husband, Dale. Through the inevitable ups and downs of raising a large family, Ron remained steadfast in what mattered most to him: loving his family, providing for them, enjoying a good laugh and being present for the people he loved.
After retiring from General Motors and raising their family, Ron and June began a new chapter together in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Retirement, however, didn’t mean slowing down for Ron. He worked as a starter at Peninsula Golf Course, a job that suited a man who genuinely enjoyed meeting and talking with people.
Ron and June later moved to Seattle to help care for their granddaughter McKenna. Being a grandfather wasn’t something Ron simply enjoyed. He embraced it wholeheartedly. One of his greatest pleasures was driving McKenna and her friends from school to gymnastics practice each day, creating the kind of everyday memories that would become anything but ordinary to those who shared them with him.
And on his 80th birthday, Ron was especially proud to announce that he had gotten a new job, assisting elderly passengers as they made their way on and off Alaska cruise ships. It was quintessential Ron: still working, still helping others, still making friends and still finding purpose in each new day.
Ron’s family continued to grow, bringing him tremendous pride and joy. He was blessed with grandchildren Luci and her husband, Brock; Kati; Alli and her husband, Jake; Zach and his wife, Anna; Josh and his wife, Emily; Jennifer and her husband, Nick; Lia; Dalton and his wife, Ally; Devin; and McKenna; as well as great-grandchildren Caroline, Amelia, Mikey, Ava, Alex, Lucas, Marshall, Hudson, Colton, Palmer, Henry, Caleb, Emma, Timmy, Rory and Wren.
Wherever Ron went, friendships seemed to follow. He formed lasting relationships throughout his many jobs and, later in life, through his community at Senior Housing Authority and his parish family at Holy Rosary. His faith was important to him, and he often volunteered to serve at funeral Masses, quietly offering his time and presence to families experiencing loss.
Those who knew Ron might also agree that he was quite possibly the youngest 91-year-old around. He was often complimented on his handsome good looks and youthful appearance, something Ron attributed not to any great secret, but to a life filled with love, friendship, faith and hard work. More memorable still was his joyful, warm personality. He enjoyed people, and people enjoyed him.
Ron’s life was defined not by what he accumulated, but by what he gave to others. He was a man of kindness, compassion, faith, humor and an extraordinary love for his family, his friends and his fellow man. He found joy in others and left a lasting impression through the simple but powerful way he treated people.
Perhaps the clearest reflection of the man Ron was can be found among the things he chose to treasure. Before his death, he left behind a box containing his handwritten wishes and precious mementos. It wasn’t filled with deeds, stocks or material possessions. Instead, there were notes, cards, prayers, Bible passages and reminders of the people he loved.
There was a laminated Grandparents Day prayer card from his granddaughter Lia; a school paper in which McKenna described her grandfather as her best friend; a campaign letter from when his son Mike was running for sheriff; cards from his children thanking him for being their dad; and an anniversary card from June reflecting on the beautiful life they shared over 64 years.
That little box said everything about Ron.
His treasure was people. His wealth was love. His legacy was kindness.
In the final four years of his life, Ron faced numerous health challenges with remarkable courage and resilience. Through pain, recovery and adjustments to the life he knew, he rarely complained. Instead, those around him were much more likely to receive a smile, a bit of humor and his familiar thumbs-up. It was simply the way Ron approached life: with strength, gratitude, optimism and love.
Among the words Ron treasured was a poem that challenged us to consider whether, at the end of each day, someone was happier because we had passed their way and whether we had left a trail of kindness behind us.
Few sentiments could better describe Ron’s life.
He did, indeed, leave a beautiful trail of kindness.
Ron also leaves behind his beloved brother, Donald Essig, and Donald’s wife, Shelly, nephew, Alan Carlson and wife Qi, niece, Karin Hetherington and husband Bill, their children along with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the many friends whose lives were touched by his warmth and kindness.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin Essig and Betty Thiell; his sister, Bonnie Dentino; his brother and sister-in-law, Carl & Marilyn Carlson; his beloved wife of 64 years, June Ruth Marshall Essig; his son, Craig Essig; his granddaughter, Kati Essig; and his son-in-law, Terry Fitzpatrick.
While his family grieves his passing, there is tremendous comfort in imagining Ron reunited with his beloved June, Craig, Kati and all those he loved who went before him and embraced by the God in whom he placed his faith.
Those who loved Ron will honor his life by continuing the example he set: work hard, love your family fiercely, nurture your friendships, keep your faith, find humor even on the difficult days, help others whenever you can and never underestimate the difference a simple act of kindness can make.
And, in true Ron fashion, there should always be room for one more toast.
Until we meet again, we will raise a Manhattan in his honor, give a thumbs-up to a life extraordinarily well lived, and toast to Ron Essig and all the good times still to come.
A life well lived. A family deeply loved. And a trail of kindness that will continue for generations.
Funeral Services
A Funeral Mass celebrating Ron’s life will be held on November 12, 2026, at 11am at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle. In celebration of Ron’s joyful spirit, family and friends are invited to wear a touch of yellow, his favorite color, to the Funeral Mass. Reception immediately following mass at the Holy Rosary School Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites those wishing to honor Ron’s memory to consider a donation to Holy Rosary Parish.