Ronald James "Ron" Wakefield

      Ronald James "Ron" Wakefield, age 77, of Ovid, MI, passed away from an aggressive case of lung cancer on Friday, October 7, 2022, at Owosso Memorial Healthcare in Owosso, MI.

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes – Houghton Chapel, Ovid, MI, at 3:30 P.M. on Monday, October 10, 2022.  Burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery, Ovid, MI. Visitation will be held from 12:00 P.M. until the time of service. At Ron's request, everyone is asked to wear casual attire; jeans and plaid shirts are welcome!

     Ron was born in St. Johns, Michigan on February 8, 1945, the son of DO and Georgia (Thompson) Wakefield. He had three sisters: Jeanette Gruesbeck, Donna Faye Allen, and Baby Connie.  Ron lived his entire life in the Ovid area. He attended Ovid Schools, but soon decided school wasn't for him. He needed to be a free spirit. He soon went to work. He worked at all three Ovid gas stations in one week, finally ending up at Howard Applebees' Standard Station where he became manager. He continued working there for two years before going to Mitchell Bentley in the spring of 1963.  During this time Ron met the love of his life, Suesanna Mabie, from St. Johns. From the day they began dating they were never apart from each other for almost fifty-nine years. Also during this time, Ron was hired at General Motors, Fisher Body division in Lansing.

     After eight months together, Ron and Sue pledged their love for each other at their wedding. They were married on November 30, 1963 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Johns, Michigan. They started their married life in Ovid, where the rented their first house for $1.00 a day! After fifteen months, they purchased Ron's parents' house and continued to live there for nine years.  During this time Ron and Sue happily welcomed into their lives three beautiful girls: Jill, Tammy, and Becky. With their growing family complete, they purchased their current home. They have lived there for forty-nine years and made many wonderful memories there together.

     Ron retired from Fisher Body after thirty-four years. He and Sue have spent their last twenty-five years maintaining their home and yard. Ron was especially proud of his beautiful flowers and was always happy to share his knowledge of them with anyone. He gladly shared with his family and now he has three generations carrying on his love of all things green. He and Sue maintained their home, always "freshening" it up. They loved to go to antique shows and bought many old pieces and re-did many of them together, turning them into pretty "antiques".

     Ron also raised and showed pigeons for over twenty years. If anyone in the area found a stray pigeon, Ron was the man they came to. He and Sue attended the National Pigeon Shows in Kentucky for many years. He was extremely proud that he won the national award for his "Helmet" pigeons in October 2000. He truly loved to see his birds "grow up".  Ron was proud of all of his accomplishments. However, he had the most pride in raising his daughters. He taught them to drive, make correct change, and to become successful, independent women. Nothing was more important to him than that. He was very successful at that! His love for them and his seven beautiful grandchildren is unending. He also found room in his heart to welcome Sue's son, Terry, and his entire family. He finally got a son even if it took over fifty years!

     Ron was preceded in death by his entire immediate family. He is survived by his loving wife Sue and his daughters: Jill (Dean) Gilbert, Tammy (Chris) Marshall, and Becky (Ed) Purvis; and stepson Terry (Shari) Ide. He also leaves seven grandchildren: Kaitlynn (Jintaro) Mikami, Kameron (Shianne) Gilbert, Michael (Whitney) Marshall, Matthew Marshall, Bree Purvis, Rex Purvis, and Brandon (Allyse) Ide; and his only great-granddaughter Cecelia "Cece" Ide. Ron will be missed by many friends, cousins, nieces and nephews, and his only living aunt, Hazel Seelhoff.

     Ron was a very quiet man with a very dry sense of humor. Just when you thought he wasn't listening, he would come up with some "information" pertaining to that conversation. He could make you think twice about some things; just ask his "Coffee Buddies" at Mary's Country Kitchen!  Ron was a man who loved Chevy’s, genealogy, MSU sports, plaid shirts, a good olive burger, and ICE CREAM. He was loved by many especially Sue.

      "HE WAS A GOOD MAN!!"

     In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, Michigan.