Ronald Lee Reifsnider

Retired Middletown police officer, Ronald Lee Reifsnider passed away at the age of 83 on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, of congestive heart failure. He is proceeded in death by his parents Ralph and Virginia Reifsnider, two siblings Shirley Reifsnider and Karen Lawson, a grandson Kyle Pearce, and a step-son Timothy Lawson. His younger brother, Neal Reifsnider who has been married to Loretta for 59 years, is the last of his surviving siblings.

Ron is also survived by his wife of 20 years, Mary Reifsnider and their grandson Timothy Curtis Lawson Jr., who they have raised as their own, and Mary’s eldest son, James Lawson.

Ron has four children of his own from his first wife, Alvera Spicer. His eldest son, Matthew is married to Usha, and they recently bought a home in England. Together they gave him two grandchildren, Kieron and Tara. Tara and her husband, Joe Casper have two children, Justin and Brandon Dillon. And on August 1, 2023, Kieron and his wife, Megan, continued the Reifsnider name by giving birth to Felix Reifsnider. David Reifsnider is Ron’s second son, who resides in Ada, Oklahoma. Dave gave Ron two step sons, Jeremy and Jason Gray, and several step-grandchildren.

Ron also leaves behind two daughters, Vickie and Ronnea Reifsnider, who also reside in Oklahoma. Vickie is the eldest daughter who was the first child to make Ron a grandfather, when she gave birth to twins, Joe and Brooke Trail. He was blessed again when Brittany Dawn was born 15 months later. All three of these grandchildren were honored to be baptized in the ocean by their grandfather after Ron retired and moved to Big Pine Key, Florida.

Ronnea also blessed his life with five children: Kyle, Ronnie, Sunny, Jackson and Lindsey. In 2015, Ronnea’s eldest daughter, Sunny, made Ron a great grandfather when Aubrey Cole was born. Three years later Sunny had Brantley, and on February 9, 2024, baby Myles arrived.

Ron is also survived by his brother-in-law Merle Lawson, his four children (LaDonna, Doug, Laura, and Melissa), and other extended family members including Neal’s two daughters (Linda and Patricia).

Born on October 23, 1940, in Davenport, Iowa Ron’s childhood was not easy. His father worked for the government, and the family moved from state to state.

In 1957 Ron graduated from Middletown High School and immediately joined the United States Army. After being discharged from the Army, he served the City of Middletown as a sharp shooter police officer. During his services he had the opportunity to be a motorcycle cop, work under cover, in narcotics, and became a certified diver. When he wasn’t riding a motorcycle for the City of Middletown, Ron loved riding his Gold Wing motorcycle, where he orchestrated many summer road ralleys for the Blue Knights. During the mid 1970s, while continuing his services to the City of Middletown, Ron learned butchering skills and as a second job, he managed the Boomershine Meat Market in Germantown, Ohio.

On January 21, 1989, Ron retired from the City of Middletown and soon moved to Big Pine Key, Florida. During his time of sailing the ocean and lobster trapping, he was diagnosed with colon cancer, so he sold his dream home and moved back to Middletown to be with family. After his successful battle with cancer, he decided to continue his education career and on July 15, 2000, he graduated with his Bachelors of Theology. His family encouraged him to go all the way, and on July 11, 2003, Ron became a Doctor of Philosophy in Theology.

Ron was known to be a prankster. His fellow police officers could tell you stories…so could his children for that matter. He also loved Jesus, showing his slides, and watching movies. So when family members think of him, they imagine him sitting back watching a movie. When Ron left this world, it broke the hearts of his family members, but his was restored…amen

A memorial visitation for Ronald will be held Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Anderson Funeral Home, 1357 E. 2nd St., Franklin, Ohio 45005. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.