Ronald D. Ladley

Ronald D. Ladley, 83, of Springfield, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday January 15, 2022 at the Villas of Holly Brook. He was born on May 24, 1938 in Springfield to Roy Clinton Ladley and Loraine MacMillan Ladley.

Mr. Ladley is survived by three daughters: Cynthia (Tom) Leepper and Ronda Ladley both of Springfield and Judith Brown of Pleasant Plains; grandchildren: Kimberly, Heather, Jesse, Desiree, Zachary; great-grandchildren: Shayne, Alyissa, Avery, Bella and several nieces, nephews, cousins. He was preceded in death by spouses: Jayne Millwee Ladley and Lynda Long Ladley; parents: Roy and Loraine Ladley; siblings: Stanley Ladley and Marjorie Ladley Kimmel; grandson: Jacob Brown; great-grandson: Jayse Tyler Goodwin.

Mr. Ladley enjoyed a long and distinguished career in real estate as broker/owner of local real estate sales companies and as owner/educator of the National Academy of Real Estate. He was happiest when sharing his wealth of knowledge to invest in the success of others; teaching, encouraging, and helping thousands of individuals to start down their own successful career paths related to the field of real estate. Mr. Ladley served as Chairman of the Illinois Historic Sites Commission, the Springfield Historic Sites Commission, and the Sangamon County Historical Society.

He volunteered and served on the boards of many philanthropic organizations including the Springfield Association for Retarded Citizens (SPARC), United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Springfield Jaycees, Rotary Club of Springfield, Ansar Shriners, and the American Red Cross. Ronald enjoyed volunteering as a historic tour guide for the Clayville Historical Site in Pleasant Plains and for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield. He also volunteered as an usher and lay reader for many years at his local church, the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul.

Mr. Ladley spent much of his adult life volunteering his time on behalf of the Sangamon County Republican Central Committee as well as volunteering for the statewide and national GOP. Prior to his illness, Mr. Ladley was an active member of Island Bay Yacht Club and Illini Country Club.

Ronald studied engineering at the University of Illinois and he graduated from Illinois College with a degree in business, history and education.

Some of Mr. Ladley’s Awards and Achievements include: President of Capitol Area Association of Realtors 1987, Realtor of the Year Award 1989, Realtor Hall of Fame Award 1995, Lobbyist for Illinois State Employee Association (ISEA) where he influenced the legislation to provide State workers with employee health benefits under Governor Richard Ogilvie on July 27, 1971, Lobbyist for the non-profit Taxpayers Federation of Illinois where he helped school districts save money and improve curriculums for nine years, Supervisor of research studies for Illinois State Superintendent of Public Instruction Raymond Page and he served as an Analyst of Schools for Illinois Department of Education.

Family and friends remember and admire Mr. Ladley for being a well-spoken, fun-loving individual, who could be counted on to speak well of other people. His warm smile, gentle caring heart, wisdom, kind personality, and generosity will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday, February 5 at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road, Springfield, with burial to follow at Pleasant Plains Cemetery. The family will greet friends on Saturday morning from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Bisch West. Memorial contributions may be made to Springfield Association for Retarded Citizens (SPARC) and please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.