Ronald L. Blanke

Ronald Blanke, 64, of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2016 at Rose Arbor. He was born June 22, 1951 in Kalamazoo, the son of Jack and Joan (Hastings) Blanke. Ron was a graduate of Barbour Hall Military School, U High and Loy Norrix. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University. He began work for Upjohn in 1979 retiring from Pfizer in 2009. Ron was an avid University of Michigan fan, loved riding motorcycles in which he participated in many fundraising rides, and was a founding member and volunteer of Eastwood House of Recovery where he was a sponsor to many. Most of all his daughters and grandchildren were number one in his life. He is survived by his daughters, Katherine (Tom) Thomas of Centreville, VA, and Linda (Chris) Stuut of Plainwell; four grandchildren, Anabelle and Sebastian Thomas and Christopher and Evelyn Stuut; his father, Jack Blanke of Kalamazoo; a sister, Barbara (John) Gumpper of Kalamazoo; a step-sister, Chris (Kevin) Ostlund of Augusta; nieces and nephews, John and Ryan Gumpper and Chloe, Estee and Phoebe Ostlund. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or Eastwood House of Recovery.