Ronnie L. May

Age 81 of Wilmington, Illinois died on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at StoryPoint Senior Living in Romeoville, Illinois.

Born February 22, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois Ronnie Lamont was a son of Lester and Florida (Noe) May. He gained his primary education in Coffeen, Illinois and went on to graduate from Hillsboro High School. On June 10, 1961, Ronnie married Janet Kay Headley in Vernon, Illinois and together they relocated to make their home in South Wilmington for four years before settling in Wilmington, where they spent the following 52 years.

Ronnie had a fulfilling career which began at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant before he joined Mobil. He dedicated 30 years of service to Mobil/BASF before retiring. Ronnie was a member of the Wilmington Moose Lodge #241 and the Ponderosa Area Club. He was also a proud member of the Wilmington Lodge #208 A.F. & A.M.

Ronnie's true passion lied in the great outdoors. Fishing, hunting, boating and the search for morel mushrooms were activities he relished. His English Setter hunting dogs held a special place in his heart, even those that were not the best hunters. A St. Louis Cardinals fan by birth, Ronnie eventually converted to support the Chicago Cubs. Additionally, he played pool on leagues and had an affection for collecting - with garage sales being irresistible to him. Just taking leisurely drives around town to observe what was happening gave him contentment.

Ronnie will be remembered as a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather and cherished friend to many. His kindness was genuine and his disposition always pleasant - qualities that earned him loyalty from all who knew him.

Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Janet; daughter, Carla (Glen) Hawks of Tega Cay, South Carolina; son, Kerry (Kathleen) May of Plainfield, Illinois; six grandchildren: Lucas (Lara) Hawks, Alison (Ricardo) Alvarado, Jessica (Trevor) Marshall, Travis Hawks, Kaitlin May and Jacob May; five great grandchildren: Grayson, Hayden, Leah, Carter and Jace; one sister, Deanna (the late Kenneth) Traylor of Hillsboro, Illinois; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Marilyn (the late David) Scott of Corinth, Mississippi, Diana (the late Gary ) Foltz of Patoka, Illinois and Sena (Harry) Landreth of Vernon, Illinois, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Merle and Frances Headley and brother-in-law, Dale Headley.

Cremation rites have been accorded.

The family will receive friends for a memorial visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington on Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of memorial service, 1:00 p.m. Inurnment will immediate follow in Oakwood Cemetery, Wilmington.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Ronnie’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research (www.ALZ.org) or to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care (www.Lightways.org)

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Ronnie’s memorial page online through social media.

Cremation and memorial arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory. (815-476-2181)