Ronald Dennis Schnepp

Ron was born on September 9, 1947 in Pontiac, Michigan to parents Kenneth Schnepp and Bernadine Schnepp (Pfeiffer). Kenneth, a Journeyman Cutter/Grinder at General Motors, and Bernadine, a postal worker, lived in Walled Lake, Michigan and had four children. Ron was the oldest brother of Dale, Linda, and Sharon. He graduated from Walled Lake High School in 1967.

After high school, Ron enlisted in the United States Army and, in 1969, was sent to South Vietnam. He was part of the 60th Scout Dog Platoon which was the first in history to use dogs to detect mines and tunnels. After returning from Vietnam, Ron got a job at General Motors as a millwright apprentice and later earned his journeyman card.

On January 8, 1977 Ron married Rose Marie Kientz. Ron and Rose were married for nearly 42 years and had three sons Shawn, William, and Ryan. They moved from their home in Ypsilanti, Michigan, to Three Rivers, Michigan, in 1980 as Ron transferred from the GM plant at Willow Run to a small plant in Constantine, Michigan. Ron and Rose would live in Three Rivers for the next 14 years, and Ron would see the closing of the Constantine GM plant and move to the GM Hydra-Matic plant in Three Rivers.

In 1994 Ron, Rose, and Ryan moved to Grandville, Michigan (where Ron and Rose still reside) as Ron was transferred to the GM plant in Wyoming. By this time, Shawn was working at the American Axle Plant in Three Rivers and William was attending college at Michigan Technological University.

Ron retired from General Motors in 2001 with 31 years of service as a millwright. Ron and Rose spent their retirement traveling the United States and enjoying family and friends.

Ron was very active in his community and touched the lives of many people. Ron was a lifelong Boy Scout. He was a Scout as a boy as well as volunteering as a scoutmaster for decades as an adult. Ron was an amateur radio operator. His call sign was N8IJE. He always had huge antennas at his house that he used to talk to family and friends on a weekly basis.

As a veteran himself, it was very important to Ron that he take care of other veterans. Ron volunteered at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans for many years and later at the Wyoming VA clinic at Metro Health Hospital.

He loved camping and the outdoors. He went camping with his friends and planned the annual Schnepp family camping trip. Ron loved fishing with his dad and later with his family, especially on Lake Michigan. Ron also enjoyed riding ATV’s and snowmobiling in northern Michigan.

Ron always liked traveling. He traveled all over the United States with his family. Some of the best family vacations were spent out West touring sites like the Grand Canyon and Yosemite. Ron also enjoyed making crafts and selling them at craft shows which he did throughout the 1990’s with Rose. After Ron’s retirement, Ron and Rose traveled the United States. They traveled to the east coast, southern California, Florida, as well as Alaska. While at home they enjoyed going to the movies, concerts, and other events around the Grand Rapids’ area.

Ron loved his seven grandchildren very much and spoiled them as much as he could. He was very involved in all of his family and friends’ lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Bernadine.

Survivors include his devoted wife Rose, three sons and daughters-in-law -- Shawn and his daughter Shaley of Three Rivers, Michigan, William and Amanda and their children Abigale and Elizabeth of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Ryan and Casey and their children Emma, Josie, Rex and Samantha of Constantine, Michigan; and siblings Dale Schnepp, Linda MacLachlan, and Sharon Mitchell.

The family welcomes memories and messages in their online guest book at www.cookcares.com.

To view the Keepsake Video please click on the link below.

https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/57L4NYNR5LZ66TMN