Ronald Howard South

Ronald (Ron) South was born October 16, 1932, in Springfield, Illinois, to Ira and Mildred (Wood) South. He was an industrious child who delivered papers at an early age and saved to buy his first bicycle. His second job was at the local drugstore. Ron graduated from Feitshans High School, January, 1951, and worked at a Pillsbury Mills Factory for nine months before enrolling at Anderson College, Anderson, Indiana. Even in college, Ron always had a job at one time working full time at a Delco Remy Plant in Anderson. At Anderson, Ron had many friends who appreciated his quiet humor and accepting personality. He had a deep religious faith, worshiping regularly at a local church and singing in the choir. Ron was a member of Triad, a men’s group on campus. During his sophomore year, he began dating another AC student, Gloria DeFilippo. In December, 1953, Ron was drafted into the Army and spent most of his service time in Neu Ulm, Germany, returning to Anderson, September, 1955. When Gloria returned to Anderson for Homecoming, October 1955, they reconnected and were married, July 21, 1955. Ron moved to Plymouth, Michigan, where Gloria lived. There he enrolled at Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, where he completed his undergraduate degree. He later earned his Masters of Education at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. He taught Middle School Industrial Arts at a middle school in Inkster, Michigan, for three years before changing to elementary education in Plymouth, Michigan. He was chosen as an Elementary principal in Plymouth and his first assignment was to open a new school: Tanger Elementary. He would later open another new school, Eriksson Elementary. Ron continued to be active in his church and community, teaching Sunday School classes, working with the youth group and always singing in the choir. He was President of the local Kiwanis Club. August 8, 1968, a huge sign was draped over the roof of Tanger School declaring THE SOUTHS HAVE TWIN BOYS. Ron now added Father to his list of titles. Paul and Mark South became an integral part of his life. He was a wonderful Dad even on camping trips with Indiana Guides. The Souths enjoyed traveling around the United States. In 1980 Ron and Gloria were hired by the Department of Defense Dependent Schools to teach at Berlin American School, a 7-12th grade school for children of military personnel based in West Berlin, Germany. Ron went from being an elementary principal to teaching ninth grade Career Education, Coaching the football team, and being the sponsor of the Senior Class. In 1982 they returned to Plymouth where Ron was once again an elementary principal until 1987. In 1987, Ron was again employed in Department of Defense Schools in Frankfurt, West Berlin and Heidelberg Germany, retiring in 1995. He spent the next year playing golf and planning trips for him and Gloria while she worked. Then in 2000, Ron came out of retirement and spent the next four years teaching 4th grade at another DODDS school in Vilseck, Germany. Last retirement was in 2004 and a move to Holland, Michigan, to be closer to family. In Holland Ron sang in the choir at Third Reformed Church, was a member of Hope Academy of Senior Professional Evergreen Commons and the Evergreen Chorale. He and Gloria spent winters in New Smyrna Beach, FL, and made an annual trip to London, Germany and Italy for Thanksgiving and the early part of Advent. Ron is survived by his wife, Gloria; sons, Paul and Lori (Applegate) South and Mark and Kim (Heeke) South; granddaughters, Ashleigh South and Taylor Scheipline, Elisabeth (South) and John Gray, Genevieve South, and grandson Kai South; great grandchildren, Kairi and John Gray; sister, Norma Altman; brother, Marvin South; nephews, Jeff and Clara South, David and Cinda Christie; nieces, Cheryl and Chuck Brown and Rebecca and Mike Wiese; plus many great nieces, nephews and cousins. A Memorial Service to Ron’s life will be in The Chapel at Hoosier Village, Zionsville, Indiana on Friday, December 10, 2021, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Holland Rescue Mission, Holland, Michigan (https://give.hollandrescue.org) or Toys For Tots (https://www.toysfortots.org).