Ronald Alfred Bockheim

Ron enjoyed spending time puttering around his barns, gardening, reading, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, playing horseshoes and cribbage, and traveling to the cabin at Indian River. He had a knack for figuring out how to reuse an item or material that had reached the end of its useful life…when he couldn’t reuse it, he enjoyed scrapping it out.

He had a love for the church and the upkeep of it. Mom would often say, “If you can’t find your dad, go look up at church!” He loved birthdays…especially the singing, cake, and ice cream. His pride and joy were his grandchildren and he cherished time spent with each of them and hearing updates about their lives. He will be deeply missed.

Ron had five brothers. For 29 years, each of them had a newspaper delivery route on the NW side of Grand Rapids, where they were raised. Ron’s stint started in 1950 when he was 14 years old. He graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1954, went on to the University of Detroit where he graduated with a civil engineering degree. He started his career in the construction industry with Peter Kiewet and Sons where he worked at Thule Air Force Base in Greenland. It was in Greenland where he purchased his bride’s engagement ring. They were married in the morning of May 12, 1962 and by afternoon were on their way to start their lives together, in Minot, ND, where he continued working for Kiewet and Sons. He was later transferred to Pennsylvania, eventually making their way back to Michigan in 1965. He worked at Frieberg Construction until he started his own construction business, Rapid Construction Inc., in 1976. He sold that business in 1988, at the age of 46 years. In 1992, he started working at his son’s construction business, estimating projects until the age of 83 years. He continued on at Mugen Construction as a “yard man” until two days before his death.

He is survived by his children Mary (Keith Alvesteffer) Podskalan, Maureen (Dan Fein) Weick, Kelly (Lisa) Bockheim, Russell Bockheim, Ryan Bockheim, Kerri Koperski; 16 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers Leonard (Elan) Bockheim, Phil (Paulette) Bockheim; in-laws Sharon Bockheim, Vivian DeVos, and Robert McKinnon.

He is greeted in Heaven by his bride, Betty (nee Gensler) Bockheim; son, Christopher Bockheim; parents Julius and Helen (nee Kaupa) Bockheim; brothers David, Julius (Tump), Paul; and sister, Sr. Carol; amongst many other Bockheim and Gensler family members.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday, August 10, 2026 at Cook Funeral Home (Byron Center Chapel), 2067 84th St. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315, with prayers of the Rosary beginning at 2 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 11 at St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic Parish Church, 2459 146th Ave. SW, Byron Center, MI 49315.

The family requests no flowers be sent, but instead and in memory of Ron, donations made to St. Mary’s Visitation Catholic Parish – Building and Grounds Fund. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in Ron’s online guestbook.