Ronald “Ron” Kawanna Sr. passed away at his home Nov. 11, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He passed away on Veterans Day.

A funeral Mass and celebration of life will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Bradley.

Ron was born in Harvey, on Oct. 5, 1934, the son of Mary (Oblak) Kawanna and Stanley Kawanna Sr.

He graduated from Thornton Township High School in Harvey, in 1953.

Ron worked for Acme Steel Company in Riverdale for 36 years as a union millwright. In 1954, Ron volunteered for the U.S. Army and proudly served during the Korean War. Ron spent time in Okinawa, Japan, and Korea.

Ron married Sandi (Head) Kawanna in 1956; and they had one child, Ronald Jr. Ron had one granddaughter, Kristi (Kawanna) Havener.

He enjoyed spending time with family, friends, his beloved dogs, fishing, boxing, sportsman's clubs, music, gardening and all Chicago sports teams.

Surviving are his wife, Sandi; son, Ron Kawanna (Jane); granddaughter, Kristi Kawanna-Havener (Tyler); brother-in-law, Gerald Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his mother, Mary (Oblak) Kawanna and father, Stanley Kawanna Sr.; sister, Patricia (Kawanna) Garbacz and brother-in-law, Chester Garbacz; brother, Stanley (Mary) Kawanna; brother, Walter (Frieda) Kawanna; sister-in-law, Helen Johnson; sister-in-law, Donna Beushausen and brother-in-law, Gilbert Beushausen; daughter-in-law, Nancy Kawanna; niece, Jerilyn Johnson; godson, Daniel Ross Kawanna; nephew, Glenn Beushausen; his grandparents; and many cousins, aunts and uncles.