Ronald Hackbarth

NAME Ronald G. Hackbarth,age 54, of Maple Park, IL, passed away unexpectedly following a massive heart attack while at home on Tuesday, February 21, 2006. BORN: He was born on May 22, 1951, the son of Harold and Geraldine (Primus) Hackbarth in Dubuque, IA. EARLY YEARS:Ron grew up in Dubuque and attended local schools. He graduated from Wahlert High School with the class of 1969 before continuing his education at Loras College. In the early 1970’s Ron moved to Illinois and lived with family in Batavia for a time until he found his own place in St. Charles in 1974. Ron worked for Burgess Norton in Geneva and retired after over 24 years of service in 1997.MARRIAGE It was during a dinner dance at Burgess Norton that he met Cheryl Whisnant and began a three year courtship. Two hearts became one as they were united in marriage on April 3, 1982. They began their life together in St. Charles where they bought a new house until they moved to their present home in Maple Park in 1994. LIFE NOTES He was a loving father who doted on his children and loved to spend time playing catch with his son Lee and poker with his daughter Stacey. He loved to play golf every week with his best friends, Jerry and Mike, whom he worked with at Burgess Norton and passed on his passion to his children. The happiest times of his life were those surrounded by his family watching movies, especially The Sting, with Robert Redford and Paul Newman. He loved to entertain friends and family opening his doors (and pantry), to all who came and made sure everyone had their fill of his favorite corny jokes. Ron was gifted in woodworking and spent many hours in his meticulous basement workshop where there was a place for everything and everything was in its place. Always on the look out for bargains, Ron possessed a keen eye for deals and spent many hours at local flea markets. He was the first to lend a helping hand to anyone who asked but last to ask help for himself. Ron was sold on John Deere, as his father was before him, and no other colors graced his garage but green and yellow. Although he loved to entertain, he possessed a quiet strength and gentle spirit. He never raised his voice, but his presence spoke volumes. It is this spirit that will live on in the hearts and minds of all who knew him and he will not soon be forgotten. SURVIVORS He now leaves his loving wife Cheryl of twenty-three years;Two children:Lee and Stacey Hackbarth all of Maple Park, 8 siblings:Dennis (Joanne) Hackbarth of Dubuque, IA, Gary (Ursula) Hackbarth of Robins, IA, Diana (Dumont Moore) Hackbarth of Chicago, IL,Judy Cosby of Phoenix, AZ, Kevin (Ellen) Hackbarth of Warsaw, IL, Linda (Keith) Benson of Batavia, IL, Jim (Julie) Hackbarth of Eldridge, IA, and Carol (Pat) Farrell of Cheyenne, WY;Two sisters-in-law, Gale (Bern) Bray of Longmont, CO, andPamela (Lance) Retterer of Aurora, IL; His parents, Harold and Geraldine Hackbarth in Dubuque, IA; His mother and father-in-law, Marcus and Shirley Whisnant of St. Charles, IL;Many nieces and nephews and a family of close friends;And two best friends, Jerry Long and Mike Blanton. PRECEDED He now joins his brother, David who died in infancy, his maternal grandparents Elmer and Bernadine Primus and his paternal grandparents Arthur and Gertrude Hackbarth who preceded him in death.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2006 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. SERVICE A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at Conley Funeral Home, Saturday, February 25, at 11 a.m. with a time of visitation from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Interment will follow at Garfield Cemetery, St. Charles,