Ronald Lyle Talley

Ron was born February 4, 1934, to Lyle Talley and Ericka (Heckman) Talley in Lincoln, Nebraska. He married Millie Hepfer on August 27, 1960 in Peoria, Illinois.

Ron graduated from Peoria High in 1952, and Bradley University in 1956 in Peoria with a B.S. At a job fair at Bradley, Ron met Lake Mott, the District Manager of the Social Security office in Peoria. He was so inspired by Lake, he accepted a job as a claims representative and stayed with the government agency until retirement.

He was drafted into the Army for 2 years December 11, 1956 and served until December 10, 1958. During the span of his job, he worked in Peoria, Rockford, Il, Chicago Regional and Indianapolis, IN area offices. Son Mike was born in Indianapolis 1960) He then worked in Elkhart, IN where daughter Susie was born in 1966. In March 1970 they offered him the position of District Manager of the Social Security office in Richmond, In where he worked a total of 38 years and retired. Upon retirement he received a plaque from the Council of the Sagamore of the Wabash signed by Governor Evan Bayh January 6, 1995.

In Richmond he was involved on several committees at the Central United Methodist Church. He also served on several committees in the Lion’s Club, and one being President. He received a plaque of appreciation for his years of service. They had a memorable trip to Hawaii with some of the members for a Lions Club Convention and enjoyed parasailing with Millie, he said it was peaceful.

They enjoyed neighborhood holidays barbeques, couples bridge, hearts and tennis.

He attended and supported Mike in various sports activities, football, and baseball. He loved going to Mike and Susie’s swim meets. He helped raise funds for new band uniform in which Susie played clarinet.

Ron and Millie move to Westfield, IN in 2008 and were active members in the Empty Nesters Bible study group at St. Lukes United Methodist Church.

Ron and Millie moved in 2013 to Cascades Heights Retirement home in Longwood, FL, to be closer to their children. They joined Sanlando Methodist church where they felt an immediate connection and felt at home. They attended weekly Bible studies at Cascades with Pastor Jonathan Tranman. While at Cascades Ron joined the art club and was mentored by Montez who taught him to paint with oils for the first time.

In 2023 both Millie and Ron lived in Sonata Lake Mary, Fl, Ron living in Memory Care. Ron enjoyed painting, lectures, games, music, movies, and pet therapy. He received good care from the staff and private aides.

They had 64 years of a happy life together. Among them were hiking and rafting through the Grand Canyon with sister-in-law LaVonne, and brother-in law Bill Seelye. as well as other rafting trips in the US with Richmond friends. Some other memorable trips include a Lion’s Club members trip to Hawaii for a convention where they enjoyed parasailing and Ron thought it was very peaceful, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, Paris, St. Petersburg Russia, and Kazakhstan. They had an adventure sailing through the BVI’s with his close high school friend and wife.

Ron loved to read, had an easy-going personality, a great sense of humor sharing jokes and puns with others. He enjoyed nature, animals and especially their family dogs Midnight and Missy.

He was proud of his son Mike’s 24 years of service in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and he served with the Marines as well.

He was also proud of his daughter Susie who earned a B.S. degree from Indiana University and went on to earn a Master’s degree of Public Health from University of South Carolina.

Ron liked going to the IU football games to hear the band which Susie participated. He became a strong IU fan but also liked the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team.

Survivors include loving wife Millie of 64 years, he was a wonderful provider, and she enjoyed spending time together in their travels. Daughter Susie of Longwood, FL, who was a wonderful caregiver to her Dad, son Mike, of Fleming Island, FL, daughter Karla and grandson Dominick of El Paso, TX. Wife Kathi, mother of Meagan, and Grandchildren, Nathan, Mya, Aaliyah, and Layla.

He is also survived by many wonderful 1st cousins on his Mother’s side (Heckman) as well as a fun loving brother-in-law Bill Seelye, many caring nieces and nephews of Millie’s family who were also like his own since he was an only child.