Ronnie Carter
May 9, 1948 — January 6, 2019
Ronnie Lynn Carter, 70, passed away from this life and into eternity on January 6, 2019. He was born on May 9, 1948 in Harlan, Iowa to Francis and Alma Gene Carter. He was the oldest of three children.
Ronnie was a boy from north Harlan with a competitive spirit. From a young age, he stayed busy in the summer playing at the ballpark and mowing the lawn. He enjoyed school, was a good student and participated in several sports. After high school, he headed to Chicago for a job at Chicago O'Hare International Airport fueling planes. While working there, he traveled with a bowling team, again channeling his competitive spirit.
Uncle Sam came knocking and off to serve our country Ron went. He served as a paratrooper for the 101st Airborne Platoon. He was the Combat Infantry Squad Leader. His job was to deal with explosives and engineering. While serving in Vietnam, he was severely wounded when a mortar round went off in close proximity, causing extensive injuries. He spent over a year recovering. Ron earned many honors: Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Paratrooper Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnamese Civil Action Honor, Device Expert Badge, Marksman Badge, and Two Purple Hearts.
Soon after he returned home from the war, Ron met Connie and pursued her. In 1970, he proposed to her. In 1971, they joined as one in marriage. Eight children, (4 boys and 4 girls) their spouses, along with 18 grandchildren, make up the Carter family.
Ron spent many years working as a bookkeeper for several companies, including Schechinger Seed Company for 27 years. During this time, Ron and Connie purchased the Harlan Bowling Alley. As he was nearing retirement, he decided to try his hand at selling insurance, and then joined Shawn building the Thermal Tight Insulators business.
Ron had many hobbies he enjoyed. You could find him at the ballpark umpiring high school girls' softball games or even a few of his kids' and grandkids' little league softball games. He loved kids and being involved in children's ministry, where he did puppets, magic tricks, and created balloon animals. He enjoyed bowling on a league and golfing on the weekends. Later in life, he spend his time doing woodworking, spin painting, target shooting, and reloading ammunition.
Ron spent as much time as his body would allow on his trike motorcycle, and traveling with Connie in their camper, visiting family at campgrounds. One of his finest memories was in 2018 when he and Connie traveled cross-country in their camper to Arizona. He talked about going back to Arizona just a week ago. As sick as Ron was after a stay in the hospital, he was able to come home on hospice where Connie and their children and grandchildren treasured special quality time while taking care of him. Ron was able to spend his last days reminiscing with many friends and family who stopped to visit, all while keeping his sense of humor. As Ron would say while sipping on his Coke Classic, "Rockin' Roll Baby!"
Ron is survived by his wife Connie (Schechinger) of 48 years, his 8 children and 18 grandchildren: Shawn & Barb Carter (McKenzie-23, Perri-18, Avery-15), Krissa & Bob Bruck (Isaac-24, Jacob-18, Isabel-13), Walter & Melinda Carter (Marshall-18, Chase-18, Maggie-10), Karen & Terry Kenkel (Mikala-19, Josh-15, Olivia-10), Tony & Ali Carter (Caselyn-7, Alondra-4, Grayson-1), Nick & Amanda Carter (Sierra-10, Emily-8), Megan & Justin Fastert (Aurora-9 mos), and Erin Carter.
Ronnie was a boy from north Harlan with a competitive spirit. From a young age, he stayed busy in the summer playing at the ballpark and mowing the lawn. He enjoyed school, was a good student and participated in several sports. After high school, he headed to Chicago for a job at Chicago O'Hare International Airport fueling planes. While working there, he traveled with a bowling team, again channeling his competitive spirit.
Uncle Sam came knocking and off to serve our country Ron went. He served as a paratrooper for the 101st Airborne Platoon. He was the Combat Infantry Squad Leader. His job was to deal with explosives and engineering. While serving in Vietnam, he was severely wounded when a mortar round went off in close proximity, causing extensive injuries. He spent over a year recovering. Ron earned many honors: Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Paratrooper Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnamese Civil Action Honor, Device Expert Badge, Marksman Badge, and Two Purple Hearts.
Soon after he returned home from the war, Ron met Connie and pursued her. In 1970, he proposed to her. In 1971, they joined as one in marriage. Eight children, (4 boys and 4 girls) their spouses, along with 18 grandchildren, make up the Carter family.
Ron spent many years working as a bookkeeper for several companies, including Schechinger Seed Company for 27 years. During this time, Ron and Connie purchased the Harlan Bowling Alley. As he was nearing retirement, he decided to try his hand at selling insurance, and then joined Shawn building the Thermal Tight Insulators business.
Ron had many hobbies he enjoyed. You could find him at the ballpark umpiring high school girls' softball games or even a few of his kids' and grandkids' little league softball games. He loved kids and being involved in children's ministry, where he did puppets, magic tricks, and created balloon animals. He enjoyed bowling on a league and golfing on the weekends. Later in life, he spend his time doing woodworking, spin painting, target shooting, and reloading ammunition.
Ron spent as much time as his body would allow on his trike motorcycle, and traveling with Connie in their camper, visiting family at campgrounds. One of his finest memories was in 2018 when he and Connie traveled cross-country in their camper to Arizona. He talked about going back to Arizona just a week ago. As sick as Ron was after a stay in the hospital, he was able to come home on hospice where Connie and their children and grandchildren treasured special quality time while taking care of him. Ron was able to spend his last days reminiscing with many friends and family who stopped to visit, all while keeping his sense of humor. As Ron would say while sipping on his Coke Classic, "Rockin' Roll Baby!"
Ron is survived by his wife Connie (Schechinger) of 48 years, his 8 children and 18 grandchildren: Shawn & Barb Carter (McKenzie-23, Perri-18, Avery-15), Krissa & Bob Bruck (Isaac-24, Jacob-18, Isabel-13), Walter & Melinda Carter (Marshall-18, Chase-18, Maggie-10), Karen & Terry Kenkel (Mikala-19, Josh-15, Olivia-10), Tony & Ali Carter (Caselyn-7, Alondra-4, Grayson-1), Nick & Amanda Carter (Sierra-10, Emily-8), Megan & Justin Fastert (Aurora-9 mos), and Erin Carter.
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