Ronald Matonich

Ron was born on March 13, 1944, in Ironwood, the son of the late Michael and Rose (Pertile) Matonich of Bessemer.

He graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer, Class of 1962. After graduation, he decided to further his education by attending Gogebic Community College, Michigan State University and graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor of science degree in biology.

Ron was employed by the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department in 1967 as an environmental health director, where he worked faithfully for 41 years until his retirement in 2009. His strong work ethic and commitment left a lasting impression on his children, coworkers, and community. During his tenure, he received the “UP Public Health Merit Award” issued by the Upper Peninsula Public Health Association and the “Distinguished Service Award” issued by the Michigan Association of Local Environmental Health Administrators.

Ron married JoAnn Degenaer on Aug. 26, 1972, at St. Barbara Catholic Church in Vulcan. Ron and JoAnn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 26, 2022, with family and friends. He had a passion for sports at a very young age, learning to play them on the street in front of his house, and became a very good pitcher during his Little League career with several no-hitters. Later in life, he fell in love with fast pitch softball and played for several years at the Northside ballfield in Iron Mountain. He was also a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan.

An avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting, at the age of 8 he started trout fishing in the Powdermill Creek location in Bessemer and later began lake fishing. He spent many summers camping at the Lake Chippewa Flowage in Hayword, Wis., with his wife JoAnn, daughter Nikki and son-in-law Kevin and their children, where he caught many fish.

One of his favorite past-times was deer hunting. He loved telling everyone how much he enjoyed sitting in the deer stand before daylight waiting for the woods to come to life and listening to the wildlife wake up, even hearing a bobcat every once in a while. Another past-time he enjoyed was playing poker with his friends. They played nearly every week for over 50 years.

Ron is survived by his wife of 53 years, JoAnn; daughter Nicole (Kevin) Nelson; son Todd (April) Matonich; grandsons Noah Nelson and Troy (Angel) Matonich; granddaughters Teagan Nelson, Brandi (Wyatt) Yost, Abigayle Matonich and Izzabella Matonich; sister Virginia (Kim) Langdon; brother Michael (Jody) Matonich; along with many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his infant brother, Gerald; sister Barbara Charles; and brother-in-law Ron Charles.

Family will greet friends on Friday, Oct. 10, from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Barbara Catholic Church in Vulcan. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 a.m. at the church, with Father Abraham Mupparathara officiating.

Interment will follow at Norway Township Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow in the church basement.

He will be deeply missed and remembered always and forever.

Condolences to the family of Ron may be expressed online at www.ortmanfuneralhome.com

Arrangements were made with the Ortman Funeral Home in Norway.