Ronald Eugene Waite's Obituary
We remember Ronald Eugene Waite, who was born August 21, 1940 in Aurora, Indiana.
He entered into eternal life on June 4, 2024 at the age of 83.
Ron was raised by his mother Charlotte in a house on Railroad Road in Aurora with his younger brother Dale. His great aunts, grandfather Julius "Pop" Baatz and beloved uncle Orville Baatz were very much a part of his young life and Ron spent a lot of time at the family homestead and farm in Vevay, Indiana.
At Aurora High school, Ron was in band and played trumpet. He was often recruited to play "Taps" for local military ceremonies, too. After graduation, Ron attended Indiana University where he earned a bachelor's degree in business, specializing in human resources. He married Jean Toler and welcomed his first daughter, Valeri, in 1962. The next year, daughter Julie was born when the family lived in Anderson, Indiana.
In 1965, Ron accepted a job in Tulsa, Oklahoma where he lived with his family until a divorce in 1972. He then took a position in union relations with the Michelin Corporation in France and lived there for a time. He married Marjorie Allen Benson and moved with daughter Tracy to Merritt Island, Florida to work for Pan Am Airlines at Cape Canaveral. A few years later, the family moved to Ocala, Florida where son Ryan was born. They later relocated for jobs in Bradenton and Lakeland, Florida. Margie died of ovarian cancer in Lakeland in 2009. He married Lilija (Lily) Putnis in 2013.
Ron worked in human resources and personnel relations for all of his adult life. He enjoyed helping people and getting them hired for good jobs. He loved fishing - this cannot be overstated - and could fix almost anything. He also loved animals and spending time with his family.
Ron was preceded in death by his mother Charlotte Baatz Waite, father Russell Waite, his second wife Marjorie and his daughter Valeri Waite Chumney.
He leaves behind his wife Lilija (Lily) Putnis Waite, brother Dale Waite of Aurora, Indiana and brothers-in-law David (Jean) Allen of Killarney, Ireland and Valerijs Lejnieks (Maija) of Ennis, Ireland.
His children are Julie Waite Carpenter Lotz (Roger) of St. Louis, Missouri; Tracy Waite Kowalski (Richard) of Orlando, Florida; Ryan Waite (Nicole) of Connorsville, Indiana, Robert Putnis of Berlin, Germany and son-in-law Michael Chumney of Lowell, Michigan.
Ron was blessed with seven grandchildren, Brendan Chumney (Alyssa), Shelby Chumney Strout (Seth) Aidan Kowalski and Sierra, Erika, Harper and Ryden Waite of Connorsville, Indiana. His great-grandchildren are Sophie [Chumney] Mitchell and Samuel Strout of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was also loved as an uncle and great-uncle.
Ron is profoundly missed, but his spirit will continue to inspire all who were fortunate to call him dad, husband, brother, uncle or friend.
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