Ronald H. “Ron” Billerbeck, 90, of Peoria, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 12:18 am, surrounded by his family. He was born on July 16, 1933 in Peoria, a son of Henry A. and Esther M. (Segal) Billerbeck. Ron married Donna Joan Beeth on February 1, 1959 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Paxton. Ron and Donna celebrated 63 years of marriage before her passing in May 2022.
Ron was also preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Phyllis Merrill and Joyce Shriber; and one brother, Bruce Billerbeck. Ron was the oldest of his siblings.
He is survived by his son, Keith (Amber) Billerbeck of Germantown Hills; niece, Angel (Allen) Hamm of Bartonville; two granddaughters; four great-grandsons; two great-granddaughters; one great-great-granddaughter; two step-granddaughters; four step-great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Gerald Shriber of Williamsfield; and several other nieces and nephews.
Ron graduated from Woodruff High School, Class of 1951 and Bradley University, Class of 1955. While at Bradley University he enlisted in the Air Force ROTC Program and entered the service on December 7, 1955. Ron was stationed at several bases in his career, one of them being Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul. It was there that he met his wife, Donna, who worked in the Base Personnel Office. There they began and enjoyed a wonderful 63 year marriage.
He retired from Komatsu Manufacturing in 1992 after 30 years of service in Accounting and Marketing Administration.
Ron was a member of several clubs and organizations throughout his life. He was a member of the A.F. & A.M. Temple Lodge #46 in Bartonville. Ron attained the level of Worshipful Master in 1999 after several years of progressive steps. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite and Mohammed Shrine and a past member of the Peoria Elks Lodge #20 and AMVETS Post #64. Ron and Donna were active members of the Peoria Chapter of the Izaac Walton League of America, where Ron was president and treasurer for several years.
He was a charter member of Memorial Christian Church in Peoria and a current member of Glen Oak Christian Church, where he and Donna were honored as Deacon Emeritus. Ron and Donna also served on the Snack Pack Committee for Children for many years.
Ron was proud to have donated eight gallons of whole blood to the American Red Cross over his lifetime.
His hobbies included playing softball on the company team until his mid-50’s. He and Joan enjoyed traveling and playing many rounds of golf together. Ron continued to play golf into his 90's. He was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears.
Ron’s funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Monday, May 13, 2024 at the Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. Rev. Dwight Winnett will officiate. His visitation will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am also on Monday at the funeral chapel. Burial will take place in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to Glen Oak Christian Church, 1115 E. Republic St., Peoria, IL 61603 or https://www.glenoakchurch.org/supporting-a-program.html.
Online condolences may be shared with Ron’s family at www.Davison-Fulton.com.
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