Ronald Lessard

Traverse City - Ronald Lessard, 83 of Traverse City passed away April 12, 2018 at Munson Hospice House.

Ron was born on January 3, 1935 in River Rouge to the late Edmund and Antoinette (Vincent) Lessard.

Ron graduated from Cooley High School in Detroit and enlisted in the Army in 1954, serving in Stuttgart, Germany. Upon his return home, he met Patricia Givens at the General Motor Central Office in Detroit where they were both employed. They married on August 22, 1959 at St. Benedicts.

Ron attended the University of Detroit, taking night classes for 8 years while working and raising three of his children. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Speech and English. He moved his family to Traverse City in 1968 after accepting a position with the Michigan Department of Social Services, were he worked until he retired in 1992.

Ron was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the VFW - Cherryland Post 2780, the Traverse City Elks Lodge #323, and Traverse City Relics Softball Team.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years and four children, Mark (Diane) of Fife Lake, John (Cheryl) of Houston, Suzanne (Jim) Stebner of Traverse City, and Sheri (Jeff) Popp of Petoskey. He also leaves behind ten grandchildren, Don Schlaf, John II, Emily, Victoria and Joseph Lessard, Samuel and Jack Stebner, and Isaac, Eli, and Seth Popp; two great-grandchildren, Addison Hendershot and Grayson Schlaf ; and his beloved Cocker Spaniel Riley.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lillian Devereaux, brother-in-law Michael Givens and grandson Michael Schlaf.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 16, 2018 from 5 to 7 pm at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The memorial mass celebrating Ron's life will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at 11:00 am with visitation beginning one hour prior at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Ron's family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at Munson Medical Center and at Munson Hospice House for their excellent care. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Munson Hospice House or the Father Fred Foundation.

Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to sign Ron's online guestbook and to share your condolences with the family.

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.