Capt. Ronald E. Clemons

Captain Ronald E. Clemons, United States Marine Corps (retired) of Convoy, died at 4:36 p.m. Tuesday, November 3, 2015, at St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born November 22, 1944, in Hardin County, the son of Arthur and Laura (Hurt) Clemons, who both preceded him in death. On November 10, 2010, he married Diane (Young) Clemons, who survives in Convoy.

Other survivors include three children, Laura Brown of Maryland, Tracie (Mat) Johnson of Columbus Grove, and Ron (Amanda) Clemons of Blacklick; four stepchildren, Alex John (Jenny) Helt and Steve (Amy Hyitt) Helt, both of Convoy, Jason (Andrea) Mezuk of Lima and Ethan Mezuk of Van Wert; three brothers, Kevin (Janice) Clemons, Robert (Wilma) Clemons, and Jeff Clemons; three sisters, Marilyn (Sam) Nitchie, Sheila (Robert) Dye, and Helen (Ron) Shumaker; 16 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

A brother, Jerry Clemons, also preceded him in death.

He was a retired captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and a Vietnam War veteran, where he served as a gunner with the elite Purple Foxes. He was a former commander of the Ada Veterans of Foreign Wars post and enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, and spending time with his VFW brothers.

Funeral services will be conducted at 6:30 p.m. Friday, November 6, at Gearhart & Jurczyk Funeral Home in Convoy, with military honors rendered by combined units of American Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 5803, both in Van Wert.

Calling hours are from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3-6:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: American Diabetes Association or the Convoy Fire Department.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.