Ronald LaVerne Wedge

Ronald (Ron) Laverne Wedge, age 84, passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at Holland hospital in Holland, Michigan with his sons by his side. He had been cared for at the Allegan County Medical Care Facility for several years.

Ronald was born the elder son of Forest L. Wedge and Rosena E. (Austin) Wedge in downtown Allegan on March 8, 1938. Ron attended some of his elementary school in Lakeland, Florida. The family moved back to Allegan in 1950, and he graduated from Allegan High School in 1956. On June 12, 1959, Ron married Nancy E. Enders of Allegan. Nancy passed away suddenly in 1977. Ron married Gretchen (Lange) Crabb in 1979. Gretchen preceded Ron in death in May 2020. Ron sustained the family business, Wedge Standard Service, during the 1960’s while his dad recovered from illness. Ron then worked as an Heavy Equipment Operator and crew foreman for Yerrington-Harris Inc. Later Ron worked for Perrigo Company, in Allegan, where he retired.

For Approximately 27 years, Ron served the city of Allegan as a volunteer fireman. Six of those years he was Fire Chief, leaving that leadership position when it was converted to a full-time job. Ron was always an avid hunter and fisherman, avocations that he passed on to his sons. Despite time traveling for work and many hours in volunteer fireman service, Ron loved family time, back-yard picnics, joking and horsing around with his sons, gardening, yard and home maintenance and other pursuits. Ron and Gretchen were also avid RV travelers and campers after retirement. In his later years, he enjoyed helping to watch over his step great-grandson. In his last several years, however, Ron was encumbered by illness that required full-time professional care. As such, he, like many other elderly in-patients endured some eighteen months or more of isolation and loneliness due to draconian Covid-19 pandemic strictures.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents and both of his wives. He is survived by his brother, Rod Wedge of Lakewood, WA; sons, David (Cheryl) Wedge of Allegan and Donald Wedge of Allegan, step-daughter Cindy Morey; grandchildren Lance Wedge of Allegan, Tabitha Emmons (Merritt Bush) of Allegan and Kevin Wedge of Allegan; step-grandson Zack Morey. Great-grandson Austin Emmons; Nephew Nathan Wedge of Lakeland, WA. Also a few cousins and their extended family.

Ron was very private and reserved about his faith. When his sons witnessed to him after he went to the nursing home, he simply told them that he “was saved a long time ago.” His family knew him as a solid honest, ambitious man who was considerate of others. We know that the man who was on the middle cross said he could go to heaven. (Luke 23:39-42)

Ron’s remains have been cremated. A memorial service has not been planned as of this writing. Ron’s family is being assisted by the Avink Funeral Home & Cremation Society, 129 South Grand, Schoolcraft, MI 49087 (269) 679-5622. While visiting Ron’s webpage at www.avinkcremation.com please sign the guestbook by lighting a candle and/or sharing a memory with the family.

Memorial donations are encouraged to the American Red Cross relief for victims of Hurricane Ian.