Ronald Lee Orchard, 77, of Lima, died at 8:00 p.m., Sunday, February 20, 2011, at Lost Creek Care Center. He was born Nov. 18, 1933, in Uniopolis, to Russell Lee and Lois Esther (Lee) Orchard who preceded him in death. On July 11, 1954, he married Janith M. Jones who survives.
Mr. Orchard worked with the Russell L. Orchard Co. heating and air conditioning business for 45 years. He was an active charter member of Forest Park United Methodist Church, Lima, where he was known as the “Candy Man”. He had been a Sunday School teacher and was on various committees at the church over the years. He loved his Lord, his Church, and his Church family. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, stationed in Panama. He was a 1952 graduate of Harrod High School and a member of the Masonic Sager Lodge, Lafayette.
He had been a Boy Scout leader and was involved in 4-H and the Junior Fair for many years. He liked woodworking, gardening and painting. He loved to square dance and bow hunt for deer. He was a great husband and loved his family, his friends and his neighbors and enjoyed doing for others.
Also surviving are 3 children: Kevin Roy (Jane) Orchard of Jefferson, IN, Evon Faith Mackie of Palm Bay, Fl, and Pennie Lynn Converse of Lima; seven grandchildren: Jacob Herron, Phillip Mackie, Paul Mackie, Matthew Mackie, Michelle Mackie, Andrew Mackie, and Airica Stebleton; two stepgrandchildren: Gracie (Steve) Cook and Rudy Salinas; seven step great grandchildren and three step great great grandchildren; nine siblings: Robert (Joan) Orchard of Wapkoneta, Timothy (Deb) Orchard of Lima, Sundra (Kurt) Winegardner of Harrod, Joy (Jim) O’Connor of Columbus, Bonnie (Errol) Plate of Lima, Delia (Doug) Hefner of Jeromesville, Hope Weber of Columbus, Rebecca Kohli of Pennsylvania, and Patsy (Larry) Morrison of Delphos.
Funeral services will begin at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, at Forest Park United Methodist Church, with Rev. Timothy Benjamin officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Wednesday from 2-4, and 6-8 p.m. at the Siferd-Orians Funeral Home, and one hour prior to services at church on Thursday.
Memorial contributions may be made to Forest Park United Methodist Church Building Fund.
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