Ronald Eugene Simon, age 75, died peacefully Saturday October 29, 2016 at Good Shepherd in Ashland, due to complications from an infection. Born on May 13, 1941 in Shelby Hospital, he was the son of Charles Henry and Mable Pauline (Bentley) Simon. He attended St. Mary Elementary School and was a 1959 Shelby High School graduate. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and had served a one year non-combat tour of duty in Vietnam. Ron then graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University in 1968 and worked as a reporter, feature writer and columnist for The News Journal for 38 years. He continued to write columns and over 600 Veterans Stories for the newspaper for several years after his retirement. Mr. Simon was an active member of St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church in Madison Township and a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4448. He was a member of the Board of Directors for the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building and active in the Mansfield Museum house in that building. He was also a member of VFW Post 9934 and its Honor Guard. He was a shopper for Toy Time for several years and was an avid reader and collector of books and music. He loved to travel and was a railroad enthusiast. Surviving are three sisters: Nancy House of Harrison, MI, Marjorie (Ronnie) Parrish of Shelby, Becky (Mike) Butler of Wilmington, OH; three nephews Aaron Butler, Nathan Butler, Ryan Parrish; step children Laurie (Michael) Wheeler of Mansfield, Tawnee (Mathew) Temple of Cordova TN, Breanna (Chris) Fyffe of Ashland, OH and Grant (Danielle Prosser) Haren of Westerville, OH five step-grandchildren, Heather Brady, John (Brittney) Brady, Lamonte Miller Jr., Deauna Roberts, Jocelynn Fyffe, Audrey Processer-Haren; three great step grandchildren; special friend, Helen Eckenrode of Shelby and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Victoria in 1996 and brother-in-law Miles House. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday November 3, 2016 at St. Mary's of the Snows on Ohio Rt. 42. Rev. Nelson G. Beaver will officiate with interment in the Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Cemetery in Shelby. Friends may call at the Barkdull Funeral Home & Crematory Wednesday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 6:00 to 8:00 PM where Deacon Michael Yaker will be doing the vigil services at 7:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Mansfield Memorial Museum at 34 Park Ave W, Mansfield, OH 44902. Charitable donations may be made to:Mansfield Memorial Museum 34 Park Ave W, Mansfield OH 44902 Web: http://themansfieldmuseum.com/tmm/

Service Information Visitation Wednesday November 2, 2016 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Barkdull Funeral Home & Crematory 33 N. Gamble St. P.O. Box 644 Shelby, OH 44875 Visitation Wednesday November 2, 2016 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Barkdull Funeral Home & Crematory 33 N. Gamble St. P.O. Box 644 Shelby, OH 44875 Vigil Service Wednesday November 2, 2016 7:30 PM Barkdull Funeral Home & Crematory 33 N. Gamble St. P.O. Box 644 Shelby, OH 44875 Funeral Service Thursday November 3, 2016 11:00 AM St Marys of the Snow 1630 Ashland Rd. Mansfield, OH 44905