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In Memory of
Jim
Ronhaar
Ronhaar
1922 - 2016
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Obituary for Jim Ronhaar
John James “Jim” Ronhaar
October 12, 1922 – December 8, 2016
After a long illness, Jim Ronhaar has passed on to live in the light and love of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with his beloved wife, Ardis. Though he was with us for 94 years, it was perhaps something of a miracle he survived that long; having grown up the ringleader of six rambunctious, scarily resourceful farm children, prone to daring, expressly forbidden, high-wire rides on hay hooks in the barn and handheld firecracker skirmishes atop the grain silo.
A proud son of Oak Harbor, Jim spent his entire life in what he astutely deemed “The most beautiful place on Earth”, allowing an interruption only to serve in the United States Army during World War II. As chronicled by his expansive memory in his book My Journey with Uncle Sam, Jim served proudly and bravely in the 313th Engineer Combat Battalion, part of the 88th Infantry Division, known as the Blue Devils. His time with the 313th took him far from Whidbey Island, to the distant environs of Northern Africa and Italy.
He earned a Purple Heart and a number of lasting friendships, but what was perhaps his greatest journey was about to begin back home.
In Jim’s own words:
“I’ve felt this way for a mighty long time.
Since as a young lad, I took quite a shine,
To a green-eyed girl with a crooked nose.
That shine changed to love, as everyone knows.”
With the unstoppable determination that would be his trademark in so many of his life’s endeavors, he set about marrying his best friend, high school sweetheart, and one true love, Ardis Vogt, on September 7, 1945. Over 65 years of marriage, they built a loving home, explored the world together, and filled their lives with three children, seven grandchildren, and countless lives blessed through their tireless, joyful work and fellowship with the Gideon’s International and Oak Harbor’s First Reformed Church. He became a volunteer Fireman in the Oak Harbor Fire Department, eventually serving for 34 years—with 12 as its last volunteer Chief. He worked for Oak Harbor Freight Lines for 42 years, was a Reserve Officer in the Oak Harbor Police Department, and drove a school bus for the Oak Harbor School District.
As if those weren’t enough jobs for one man, he also found the time to become a masterful woodworker, building a workshop in his and Ardie’s basement and creating wooden decorations and toys for friends and family. The highlights of his time in the shop were 114 wooden rocking horses, initially bestowed as Christmas gifts to grandchildren and then presented to family and friends and sold to eager families in town. Always longing to be near their loved ones, Jim and Ardie spent a great deal of time roaming the country in their travel trailer, visiting family and friends, holding court in campgrounds, and taking in scenic vistas side by side.
In their later years, the Ronhaars became residents of Regency on Whidbey. After his cherished Ardie passed in 2010, Jim remained at Regency. In its halls and dining room, he became a dear, compassionate friend to its many residents and dedicated staff. It would seem he just couldn’t help it. He was treasured for his kind thoughtfulness, warm sense of humor, dedication in all things, and boundless, wholehearted love. He was many things to many people, but to those who knew him, he was everything.
His boundless verve for life and its variety of attendant duties and adventures also manifested in what many suspect may have been his favorite title of all: Grandfather. He and Ardie seemed born to become dotting grandparents, making sure their seven grandchildren would know the full extent of the
love and kindness in their hearts, and the warmth of a home that was always welcome to them. From the birth of his first grandchild, Jim the intrepid adventurer took to new roles like pacifier caddy and sentient napping platform like they were second nature. Until the very end, he relished every second he
could spend with his family; a group of people that love each other very much, and enjoyed letting him know it was all his fault.
Jim is survived by his sister Doris Nyhof, his sisters-in-law Bea Ronhaar and Alice Bandstra, he and Ardie’s son Larry Ronhaar, his wife Phyllis and their daughter Susan; daughter Carole Ronhaar Schork, her husband John Forrest Schork, their daughter Jamie Ronhaar Schork-Morency and her husband Marc, and their son John Ronhaar Schork; and, son John Thomas Ronhaar, his wife Lori, and their four sons Thomas, Jake, Luke, and James.
Jim’s family would like to express their deepest thanks to the staff at Regency on Whidbey and Whidbey Health Hospice Care—particularly the gifted caretakers that provided Jim so much comfort and assistance in his final days—for their incredible, loving care and devotion. The family would also like to
extend their thanks to Jim’s many friends at the Oak Harbor Fire Department, for continuing to generously honor “The Chief” at every opportunity.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 1:00 pm at First Reformed Church, 250 SW 3rd Ave, Oak Harbor. Jim will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Ardis at Maple Leaf Cemetery with full honors provided by the Oak Harbor Fire Department.
Donations in Jim’s memory can be made to:
Operation Smile: OperationSmile.org; The Oak Harbor Firefighters Association, 855 E. Whidbey Avenue, Oak Harbor, WA 98277; Gideons International: Gideons.org; or the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor: FRCOH.org.
Please visit Jim’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC, Oak Harbor, WA.
October 12, 1922 – December 8, 2016
After a long illness, Jim Ronhaar has passed on to live in the light and love of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with his beloved wife, Ardis. Though he was with us for 94 years, it was perhaps something of a miracle he survived that long; having grown up the ringleader of six rambunctious, scarily resourceful farm children, prone to daring, expressly forbidden, high-wire rides on hay hooks in the barn and handheld firecracker skirmishes atop the grain silo.
A proud son of Oak Harbor, Jim spent his entire life in what he astutely deemed “The most beautiful place on Earth”, allowing an interruption only to serve in the United States Army during World War II. As chronicled by his expansive memory in his book My Journey with Uncle Sam, Jim served proudly and bravely in the 313th Engineer Combat Battalion, part of the 88th Infantry Division, known as the Blue Devils. His time with the 313th took him far from Whidbey Island, to the distant environs of Northern Africa and Italy.
He earned a Purple Heart and a number of lasting friendships, but what was perhaps his greatest journey was about to begin back home.
In Jim’s own words:
“I’ve felt this way for a mighty long time.
Since as a young lad, I took quite a shine,
To a green-eyed girl with a crooked nose.
That shine changed to love, as everyone knows.”
With the unstoppable determination that would be his trademark in so many of his life’s endeavors, he set about marrying his best friend, high school sweetheart, and one true love, Ardis Vogt, on September 7, 1945. Over 65 years of marriage, they built a loving home, explored the world together, and filled their lives with three children, seven grandchildren, and countless lives blessed through their tireless, joyful work and fellowship with the Gideon’s International and Oak Harbor’s First Reformed Church. He became a volunteer Fireman in the Oak Harbor Fire Department, eventually serving for 34 years—with 12 as its last volunteer Chief. He worked for Oak Harbor Freight Lines for 42 years, was a Reserve Officer in the Oak Harbor Police Department, and drove a school bus for the Oak Harbor School District.
As if those weren’t enough jobs for one man, he also found the time to become a masterful woodworker, building a workshop in his and Ardie’s basement and creating wooden decorations and toys for friends and family. The highlights of his time in the shop were 114 wooden rocking horses, initially bestowed as Christmas gifts to grandchildren and then presented to family and friends and sold to eager families in town. Always longing to be near their loved ones, Jim and Ardie spent a great deal of time roaming the country in their travel trailer, visiting family and friends, holding court in campgrounds, and taking in scenic vistas side by side.
In their later years, the Ronhaars became residents of Regency on Whidbey. After his cherished Ardie passed in 2010, Jim remained at Regency. In its halls and dining room, he became a dear, compassionate friend to its many residents and dedicated staff. It would seem he just couldn’t help it. He was treasured for his kind thoughtfulness, warm sense of humor, dedication in all things, and boundless, wholehearted love. He was many things to many people, but to those who knew him, he was everything.
His boundless verve for life and its variety of attendant duties and adventures also manifested in what many suspect may have been his favorite title of all: Grandfather. He and Ardie seemed born to become dotting grandparents, making sure their seven grandchildren would know the full extent of the
love and kindness in their hearts, and the warmth of a home that was always welcome to them. From the birth of his first grandchild, Jim the intrepid adventurer took to new roles like pacifier caddy and sentient napping platform like they were second nature. Until the very end, he relished every second he
could spend with his family; a group of people that love each other very much, and enjoyed letting him know it was all his fault.
Jim is survived by his sister Doris Nyhof, his sisters-in-law Bea Ronhaar and Alice Bandstra, he and Ardie’s son Larry Ronhaar, his wife Phyllis and their daughter Susan; daughter Carole Ronhaar Schork, her husband John Forrest Schork, their daughter Jamie Ronhaar Schork-Morency and her husband Marc, and their son John Ronhaar Schork; and, son John Thomas Ronhaar, his wife Lori, and their four sons Thomas, Jake, Luke, and James.
Jim’s family would like to express their deepest thanks to the staff at Regency on Whidbey and Whidbey Health Hospice Care—particularly the gifted caretakers that provided Jim so much comfort and assistance in his final days—for their incredible, loving care and devotion. The family would also like to
extend their thanks to Jim’s many friends at the Oak Harbor Fire Department, for continuing to generously honor “The Chief” at every opportunity.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at 1:00 pm at First Reformed Church, 250 SW 3rd Ave, Oak Harbor. Jim will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Ardis at Maple Leaf Cemetery with full honors provided by the Oak Harbor Fire Department.
Donations in Jim’s memory can be made to:
Operation Smile: OperationSmile.org; The Oak Harbor Firefighters Association, 855 E. Whidbey Avenue, Oak Harbor, WA 98277; Gideons International: Gideons.org; or the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor: FRCOH.org.
Please visit Jim’s page in the Book of Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, LLC, Oak Harbor, WA.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jim Ronhaar, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
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Affiliations
88th Infantry Division Blue Devils
European-African- Middle Eastern Service Medal
Good Conduct Medal
Oak Harbor School District
Oak Harbor Fire Department
Purple Heart Award from the U.S. Military
US Army
The insignias listed here may be subject to copyright and / or trademarked. Those copyrights and trademarks are owned by the respective organizations.