Date of Birth: February 10, 1937
Date of Death: August 9, 2320
Ronald Jack Scheske of Melville, SK, passed away peacefully at the age of 86 years in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, with his family by his side.
Ron was born on Feb. 10, 1937, to Fred and Mary (nee Keller). The family attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where Ron was confirmed and where he became a member of the choir. Ron received his education at the Melville View School, and, when his schooling was finished, he continued working with his father on the farm.
In the spring of 1959, Ron married his sweetheart Betty (nee Litzenberger); they were blessed with three daughters. Ron and Betty continued to work the farm until they retired in 1998. When the Saskatoon university offered a course on the newest farm management practices, Ron took the opportunity to learn and then adopt what he had learned to further his love of farming.
Ron discovered he had a talent for photography. He joined the Melville Camera Club and was proud of the many awards he won. Ron was happy to serve his community and was for a time active in the councils of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, where he also served as president.
For some years, Ron was a Grader Patrol Operator in the municipality of Cana; he worked long hours and took great pride in maintaining the community’s roads and then building new roads where needed.
At a young age, Ron started building and flying model airplanes, which led to his passion for flying. When he earned his pilot’s licence, he enjoyed many years of countless adventures in the sky; he learned how to read the weather and could name all of the cloud formations that he saw. Ron introduced many people to the thrills of flying by giving rides to all who showed an interest. Being a lifelong member of the Saskatchewan Flying Farmers brought him to many new towns and cities for fly-in breakfast events where he was able to share his flying experiences with others.
Ron was known to be a voracious reader with a stack of magazines and newspapers always on hand and a well-worn library card in his wallet. His interests also included curling and bowling, and his office held a special place for his awards and trophies.
In his retirement years, Ron took up golfing, where he made many new friends. As he became involved with the Melville Seniors Centre, many of those friends came and joined him at golf. When Ron became president of the hall, he introduced and started the weekly dinners and dances, which became so popular that the dances still continue today.
Ron was predeceased by his daughter, Corinne; parents Fred and Mary; his first granddaughter, Dawn Marie; sisters-in-law Helen and Doreen; brothers-in-law Donald (at a young age), Oscar and Barry. He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving wife of 64 years, Betty; his daughters, Wendy and Terry (Jim); his grandchildren, Kristi (Corey), Amber (Erdman), Ashley (Simon), Steven (Sara) and Kim; his great-grandchildren, Alexis, Madison, Logan, Sarah, Caitlyn, Daniel and Tony; his sister, Marion; and his niece, Darlene, who was a voice of reason and always just a phone call away. Also left to cherish his memory are numerous relatives, friends and neighbours.
Ron will always be remembered as a kind and gentle man. He had a quick wit and was always making people laugh and smile.
A service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
