Ronald Samuel Applegate

Ronald Samuel Applegate, 74, was born in Mansfield, Ohio on February 15, 1947. He was the oldest son of Clarence “Red” and Anne Applegate. Ron’s life ended on April 14, 2021, after a short and vicious battle with cancer. Ron and his wife Ramona (Strickling) were married on November 18, 1972, and spent 48 years living in the Madison community.

Ron retired from MT Technologies where he continued to work part-time after his retirement. Ron was actively involved in his sons’ sports activities over the years. He was President of the Madison Athletic Booster Club and served on several school levy committees. He was active in the beginning years of the Madison Appleseed Soccer Program and enjoyed helping out at many other school activities. He spent many hours making spaghetti for his sons’ football teams and countless ham sandwiches for after-game snacks. Ron enjoyed cruising on his pontoon boat at Charles Mill Lake and golfing with longtime friends, Lew, Jim, Dave and Rem. He enjoyed many years of bowling with friends and local leagues in Mansfield. Ron was a Malabar HS graduate and enjoyed time with his Madison Class of ’67 friends, whose continued support during his illness was amazing. Their good wishes and prayers were always an important part of Ron’s hope for recovery. “Lunch Bunch” classmates, Pat (and family), Cindy and daughters, Linda “Bobo”, Ronnie and Ralph. Ron also considered Genia and Bob, Julia and Roy, Judy, Marcia, Denny and Jane, George and Deb to be special friends. Daily texts from Mary, Debbie and Patti K. provided additional encouragement of hope and recovery, as did near daily check-ins from nurse Tiff. Many thanks to all of you for never giving up on Ron’s struggle. Ron was a Vietnam veteran who served in the Army from April 1967 to December 1969. He was a member of the 101st Airborne unit. Ron had many special memories of Spring Break vacations with his family, as well as many golf trips with Oney and Tony. He also enjoyed family trips to Aruba and the Hawaiian Islands and vacation time spent at Ocean City.

Ron is survived by his wife, Ramona; son, Andy and his wife Debra; brother, Don (Linda); sister-in-law, Pat Strickling; brother-in-law, Ed Strickling (Kathy); daughter-in-law, Angela and family, Sabrina, Dakota and Bekhym; and special cousin, Darlene “Butchie” Slusher. Ron has numerous nieces and nephews, including Carrie (Wes), Tim (Michelle), Dan (Leslie), and Christi (Jerry). Ron was preceded in death by son, Matthew; his parents; in-laws, Paul and Wilma Strickling; brother-in-law, John; nephew, Johnny; daughter-in-law, Amanda; and favorite canine pets, Barney and Kingsley.

Ron will be remembered with a celebration of life at Charles Mill Lake Park in the Messerly Recreation Center, 1277 A State Route 430, Mansfield, Ohio 44903 on September 25, 2021 from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. The Wappner Cremation Center is honored to serve the family.