Ronald E. Weitzel, 78 of Nova passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2026 in Riverside Methodist Hospital following an extended illness.
He was born on November 11, 1947, in Ashland the son of the late Carl H. and Elizabeth Louise (nee Starks) Weitzel.
Ron graduated from Ashland High School, Class of 1966. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Ron was a purple heart recipient.
He married the love of his life, the former Barbara Mae Kirkpatrick on July 22, 1990.
Ron retired in 2003 from Caraustar, formerly Garber Printing after more than 30 years of service.
Throughout his life, Ron’s most common theme was giving to others. He enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, bee keeping, raising butterflies, and woodworking. Ron gave most of his produce, honey, and works of art away to family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years on Wednesday, Mrs. Barbara Weitzel of Nova; five children, Tina (Mike) Kolmansberger, Orin (Raquel) Keyser, John (Tonya) Keyser, Terry (Penny) Weitzel and Melissa (Derrick) Keck; grandchildren, Mattie, Jacob, Brianna, Leila, Jeffery, Brooke, Seth, Josh, Justtin, Jordon, McKenzie, Brody, Briley, Brory, and Nate; great grandchildren, Eastyn, Branstyn, Oliver, Bazil, Destinee, Braden and Corbin; brother, Richard Carl; and sisters, Judy (Don), Roberta, and Becky (Jacob).
In addition to his parents, Don is preceded in death by one son, Brian Bechtel who passed away on August 10, 2025.
An interment service will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Dickey Cemetery with Trudy Bates, Celebrant presiding. Full military honors will be conducted by the Ashland Veteran’s Honor Guard.
For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com