Fredrick Ronald ‘Ron’ Hoskins

Ron was born on Sept. 21, 1944, in Otisco Township, the son of Fredrick and Laura (Macomber) Hoskins.

After high school, Ron joined the United States Air Force and after his honorable discharge, he joined the Michigan State Police and spent 25 years as a state trooper in Pontiac and mostly in Iron Mountain. While serving with the Michigan State Police, Ron competed in the Michigan Police Pistol Match (Governor’s Cup). There he earned top individual performance honors and the prestigious award for excellence in law enforcement marksmanship — a .357 pistol engraved with the Governor’s seal.

He loved the outdoors and loved living in the U.P. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, growing extra-large (8-plus feet) tomato plants, and helping family and friends. While he was raising his children, Ron was active in their sporting events, coaching, going to games, and participating in all their activities. He was known for having large bonfire gatherings, so the kids and their friends had a safe place to hang out and have fun. In June 2016, he married his wife, Marilyn, and they have enjoyed the last 10 years together.

Ron is loved and survived by his wife, Marilyn; his children, Mike (Cindy) Hoskins of Grand Ledge, Mich., Marc (Jan) Hoskins of Colorado, Matt (Julie) Hoskins of Montana, his stepsons, Derek (Sarah) Fountaine of Lowell, Mich., Travis (Summer) Fountaine of Wisconsin; his sister, Alice Hamacheck of Okemos, Mich.; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Karen Rittenburgh of Lowell, Linda Wheeler of Virginia, Lois (Jerry) Paulson of Belding, Barbara Fagerlin of Belding, Donna Oestrich of Ripley, Mich., John (Terri) Bush of Ionia, Mich., Larry (Deb) Bush of Belding, Nancy (Jim) Schrauben of Greenville, Mich., Marty (Sheryl) Bush of Belding, Tom (Alice) Bush of Lowell, Ted (Therese) Bush of Greenville; along with many other extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sisters, Beverley (Pastor Ken) Harger and Linda (John) Luyben.

Funeral services will be held at Nevins Lake Church at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 20, with Pastor Dennis Ross officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home of Michigan. Memorial contributions in memory of Ron may be directed towards Nevins Lake Church.