Ronald 'Ron' McWhirter

RONALD "RON" GENE MCWHIRTER

Fairfield

Ronald "Ron" Gene McWhirter, 74, of Fairfield, passed away Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, at his home. Visitation for family and friends will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at Behner Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20, at the funeral home with Pastor Jim Cecil officiating. Burial will follow the service at Cedar Creek Cemetery, Oakland Mills.

Memorials may be made to Jefferson County Little League or Birmingham Fire Fighters. Cards and memorials may be mailed to Krista McWhirter, 600 S. D St., Fairfield, IA 52556.

Ron was born Jan. 28, 1945, in Fairfield, Iowa, to Wilbur Dale and Dora "Dode" Margaret (Skaggs) McWhirter. He married Krista Jo Trueblood on July 11, 1965. This year they celebrated 54 years of marriage.

Ron graduated from Stockport High School. He lived in the Fairfield area most of his life and worked at Rockwell/Meritor as a forklift driver for 30 years. When Meritor closed, Ron was able to retire and he and Krista moved to Tennessee. As a part-time job, he worked at Walmart. Ron loved Tennessee. In 2013, they moved back to Fairfield to be closer to their kids and grandson.

When Ron was younger, he raced stock cars and continued to watch NASCAR. He was a big collector of Jeff Gordon memorabilia and he also collected rodeo belt buckles. Ron was a big sports fan and would follow Iowa Hawkeye, Iowa State Cyclones and Tennessee Volunteers football and basketball teams. The professional football team he followed was the Chicago Bears. Ron listened to country music and was a Reba McIntire fan.

He will be missed by his wife, Krista of Fairfield; two daughters, Audra (Darin) Gilpin and Kara (Barry) Waugh, both of Fairfield; one grandson, Kerrick Waugh; and his sister, Carol Hervey of Birmingham.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Dora; and his sister, Sheryl Lyon.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.behnerfh.com.