Ronald “Ron” Edwin Vedder
December 7, 1927 – March 25, 2024
Ronald Edwin Vedder, of Leesburg, passed away March 25, 2024, after a long illness. He was born on December 7, 1927, to Helen and Edwin Vedder in Wilkinsburg, PA, where, following graduation from Wilkinsburg High School, he graduated from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. He was a US Army veteran, serving in France for two years in the Ordnance Corps. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Elizabeth.
Ron pursued a career in marketing which required much traveling and family moving to different states. He later joined an insurance agency in Ohio and lived in Hudson, Ohio.
He then was able to engage in volunteer service that became the joy of his life and for which he was honored with many awards: Boy Scout leader; Kiwanis as President of his Club, District Treasurer, Lt. Governor, recipient of the George Hixson Award for his devotion to programs to promote children ‘s health and welfare; Red Cross, for his efforts during hurricane working with families in need and conducting seminars on hurricane preparation and safety. In his community in Leesburg, he started a volunteer Gate Greeters’ program and served on the Board of all Operations.
He was an active leader in churches where he belonged and served on the Vestry, ushered, and participated in study programs.
Ron is survived by his wife Dorothy; son Mark Vedder (Ellita); daughter Denise Eichmann (Kenneth); stepson Paul Rizzo (Carol); grandchildren Nicholas Klockenga (Kathryn); Matthew Klockenga (Ashley); Zak Eichmann (Jessica); Katherine Mobley (Melvin); Jennifer Bradley (Ryan); and 9 great grandchildren. He is also survived by niece Jennifer Lohndorf (Glenn); and nephews Fred Ilgenfritz (Martha); and Peter Ilgenfritz.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 204 Lee Street, Leesburg, on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11 AM, followed by a reception in the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cornerstone Hospice House, 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778; the St. James Memorial Fund; or an organization that supports programs to better the lives of children.
