Ronald "Ron" Stone Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Ronald “Ron” J. Stone, 71, of Springfield, who passed away at Springfield Memorial Hospital on Thursday, November 30, 2023.
Ron was born in Springfield, IL on July 29, 1952, the son of Robert G. Stone, Sr., and Leona Ellen Bennett Stone. He married the love of his life and soulmate, Sheri Lynn Smith on March 3, 1990, in Springfield, IL.
Ron graduated from Chatham Glenwood High School and received his BA in Business from Bowling Green State University in 1974. He achieved a Juris Doctor from the Southern Illinois University School of Law in 1977 and was admitted to the Bar the same year.
Ron played right wing on the ice hockey team at Bowling Green State University, Pekin Stars, and the Peoria Blades, before embarking on an impressive semi-professional Continental Hockey League run as #17 intermittent Captain and Coach of the Springfield Kings from 1976-1983, culminating as the 1980 Walmar Cup champions.
After law school, he began working as Assistant District Attorney in Springfield. In 1983, he joined his best friend on an adventure-filled trip, working with Arco-Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay oil production facilities, supplying the Trans-Alaska pipeline as a Material Logistics Coordinator.
A short time later, Ron started private practice with the law office of Stratton, Stone, Kopec & Sturm, specializing in the field of Civil and Criminal Litigation, Labor and Employment Law and Administrative Law. He later started his own firm, Stone Law Office, and retired in 2021 with over 45 years of practice. One highlight of his career was representing the Springfield Police Benevolent and Protective Association Unit 5, the union that represents city police officers for more than 35 years.
Ron enjoyed playing hockey weekly with the Nelson Center Men’s League, classic rock (the louder the better), yardwork, making friends with the neighborhood squirrels, convertibles, boating, grilling, cliff diving, hanging at the Elks Club, water skiing and snow skiing, softball at the Anchor Boat Club, driveway basketball, and making his famous popcorn. He loved teasing his nieces and nephews who referred to him as Uncle Barney, watching them play sports, and spending time with Sheri and their host of family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; twin siblings, Ellen Lee Stone and Richard Allen Stone who perished at birth; brother, Robert G. Stone, Jr.; and sister-in-law, Jacqueline Clemens Stone.
He is survived by his wife, Sheri; brother Rik (Tammy) Stone of Pleasant Plains; three nieces, Heather (James) Stone of Springfield, Morgan (Brendan) Padget of Springfield, and Dakota Stone and fiancé Nick Janiszewski of Colorado; two nephews, Justin (Kristy) Stone of Springfield and Trevor (Melanie) Stone of Washington; two great nephews, Alec Stone and Michael Loureiro; sister-in-law, Marilee Tolan Stone of Springfield; and cousins.
Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center after ceremonies.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 South 6th Street, Springfield, IL.
A service to celebrate Ron’s life will occur on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Nelson Center, 1601 North 5th Street, Springfield, IL, with Judy Woerner officiating.
Friends and family are encouraged to gather at Long Bridge Golf Course, 1055 W. Camp Sangamo Road, Springfield, IL to continue Ron’s celebration of life directly following the Nelson Center memorial service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Springfield Youth Hockey Association, P.O. Box 8822, Springfield, IL 62791 and the Springfield Police Benevolent and Protective Association Unit 5, P.O. Box 1441, Springfield, IL 62705.
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