Ronald Smeltzer

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved Ronald Richard Smeltzer. He left the world on April 7th, 2026, leaving behind a void that can never be filled. His departure has left us with a deep sense of loss and sadness.

Ron was born June 23rd, 1948, in Rock Island, Illinois. Ron was the son of Alvin and Marge (Griffin) Smeltzer and was the second oldest of seven children. He grew up in Davenport, running track and playing baseball and graduated from West High School in 1966. He attended a meat cutting co-op in high school and made his career as a journeyman meat cutter for 53 years. His career included 20 years at Geifman’s as a manager, Olde Smokehouse and he retired from North Scott Foods in 2018.

Ron met the love of his life, Charlene (Heath) Smeltzer, while attending West High School. The two married in the year they graduated and shared a devoted and enduring marriage that spanned 60 years.

He is survived by his wife, Charlene, his children: Julie (Brian) Zogg, Jeff (Angie) Smeltzer, Jeni (Steve) Ruiz and Ron Jr (Sherry) Smeltzer; grandchildren: Matthew (Kaci) Zogg, Mitchell (Autumn) Zogg, Madison (Sam) O’Melia, Colton (Meghan) Smeltzer, Hope (Adrian) Simonson, Ashley (Tom) Norduft, Tony (Claire) Smeltzer, Ron III (Rylie) Smeltzer and Alec Smeltzer; and eleven great-grandchildren; a special sister-in-law Lori (Joseph) Almasi. He was preceded in death by his beloved granddaughter, Kellie Zogg, his parents and his brother, Tom Smeltzer.

Ron was funny and the master at one-liners. He could say something in just a few words and made people laugh in a way no one else could. And beyond that, he was an excellent storyteller. He could take even a simple event and turn it into a story that was detailed, animated, and funny. He had a gift for making ordinary moments memorable, and that is one of the many things people loved about him.

He enjoyed many sports, including golfing, fishing and watching NFL football, sharing those moments with his grandson and son-in-law. He also found happiness coaching baseball and softball and led many championship teams. Ron was a 60-year member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church where he served in many capacities.

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude’s in his memory.

His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the family he loved so deeply.