Ronald Berringer

Ronald Berringer, age 71, of Rockford, passed away surrounded by the love and prayers of his family on the evening of February 6, 2018 at OSF St. Anthony Hospital, Rockford, IL. Ron was born on March 5, 1946, to proud parents Leo and Rita (nee Sauber) Berringer. At the age of two Ron was diagnosed with polio. He couldn’t remember what it was like to walk, but that never stopped his determination. Ron grew up in Maple Park and graduated from Kaneland High School. After high school, Ron attended Southern Illinois University at Carbondale where he earned his bachelor’s degree and later his master’s degree in education. While at Southern, Ron joined the wheelchair basketball team where he won many trophies. In addition to the wheelchair basketball team, Ron was also on the track team where he participated in the Wheelchair Olympics. Being in a wheelchair did not limit Ron in any way. After college, Ron moved away from Carbondale, IL to start living in Rockford, IL where he came to work for Rockford East High School as a history teacher. Ron was a great story teller; all of his students loved his elaborate history stories. He was very tough and knew that education was the most important part of those kids’ lives. Many of Ron’s students grew to adore him and realized just how compassionate of a teacher he really was. Some of his students even gave him the “Best Teacher Award.” Ron kept that with him forever, knowing that he really made a difference. Ron’s skills were unmatched when it came to any games. You could have him down to two or three checkers in checkers and he would somehow turn that around and beat you anyway. Ron always had a way of making things a game which helped him get through the tough times and see things in a different way. He told it like it was and earned a great respect from people. Outside of teaching, Ron was an avid sports fan. He would take Russ, Jim and their boys to the hockey games. You could say hockey was his “go-to” sport. Some of Ron’s favorite teams were the Red Sox, the Celtics, and the Blackhawks. Some of his greatest moments were when he met Ted Williams, of the Red Sox, and Bobby Hull, of the Black Hawks. Ron’s stories will be greatly missed, but the memories of them will never be forgotten. Ron is survived by his three siblings: Russ (Sandy) Berringer, Kathryn (Joe) Massa, Jim (Beth) Berringer; seven nieces and nephews: Michael (Karen) and Jennifer Berringer, Meredith Vandre, Kayla (Kyle) Curran, Danielle Massa, John and Matt Berringer; nine great-nieces and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Leo and Rita Berringer. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., with a wake service at 8 p.m., Sunday, February 11, 2018, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, 60119. A mass to celebrate his faith will begin at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, February 12, 2018, at St. Gall’s Catholic Church, 43W855 Hughes Rd., Elburn, IL with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maple Park Fire Department PO Box 10, Maple Park, IL 60151 or tributes may also be forwarded to PO Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A Mass to celebrate his faith will begin at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, February 12, 2018, at St. Gall's Catholic Church, 43W855 Hughes Rd., Elburn, IL.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., with a wake service at 8 p.m., Sunday, February 11, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL.

Interment to follow services.