Ronald Lee Habben, 75, of rural Sterling, IL, died Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at his home.
Ronald was born July 17, 1938, in Clyde Township, IL, to Reinhard and Vera (Pierce) Habben. He was educated in the rural Whiteside County grade schools, and in 1956 he graduated from Milledgeville High School, in Milledgeville, IL, He married Nancy J. Bielema on September 2, 1961, in Fulton, IL. Ronald served in the U. S. Army during the Vietnam Era. In his early years, he was employed hauling milk and working for Leroy Dusing. He then was engaged in farming in the rural Sterling area. He was a member of the Coleta United Methodist Church in Coleta, IL. During his earlier years he was a volunteer fire fighter. Ron was an avid antique tractor collector and was a faithful participant in the local coffee club.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy; one daughter, Debra (David) Shuman of Sterling; two sons, Dan (Beth) Habben of Sterling and David (Sarah) Habben of Dixon, IL; seven grandchildren, Brandon (Christina) Snyder, Timothy Snyder, Ryan Shuman, Logan Habben, Abbie Habben, Joey Habben, Kasey Habben; one great-granddaughter, Marcoree Shuman; four sisters, Judy (Donald) Burmeister of DeWitt, IA, Mrs. Velma Norton of Freeport, IL, Beverly (Ken) Etheridge of Lena, IL, and Donna (Tom) Arden of Bloomfield, CO; one brother, Milford Habben of Morrison, IL; one sister-in-law, Norma Habben of Thomson, IL; one brother-in-law, Robert Muschal of Morrison, IL.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Merna Habben Janvrin-Muschal and Carol Albrecht and one brother, Norman Habben.
FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 24, 2013, at the Coleta United Methodist Church, Coleta, IL
OFFICIATING: Pastor David Jungnickel, Pastor of Coleta United Methodist Church
VISITATION: 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 23, 2013, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home, Morrison, IL
INTERMENT: West Genesee Cemetery, Coleta, IL
A memorial has been established by the family.