Ronald "Ron" Lee Harpole, aged 89, died on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, IL.

Ron was born on July 27, 1934, in Nebo, Illinois, and married Catherine Joann Capps ("Joann"), the love of his life, on September 5, 1953. Ron and Joann were married for 64 years, being separated only by Joann's death in 2018. Ron leaves behind his son, Dana Harpole; his daughter, Cherie Macdonald (Kevin); his grandchildren, Tyler Harpole (Ella), Abigail Harpole (Austin Bailey), Jennifer Macdonald Collins (Roger), Stephanie Macdonald Rainville (Steve), and Kyle Macdonald; and his great-grandchildren.

In 1957 and 1958, Ron served with the U.S. Army, and was stationed in Bad Aibling, West Germany. Joann joined him there, and together they discovered their mutual love of traveling throughout the world, going to other locations in West Germany, and to Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and France.

Ron and Joann took their children camping on many occasions throughout the continental United States, and to Canada and Mexico. After their children became adults, Ron and Joann continued traveling, visiting Great Britain, Hawaii, Italy, Thailand, Mexico, Jamaica, and several locations via cruise ships. One of their special trips was one they took with other business people from Jacksonville and the State of Illinois, traveling with then-Governor Thompson to Japan and South Korea. In later years, Ron and Joann enjoyed traveling to Texas for the winter, spending time with existing friends from Jacksonville, and meeting new friends they met while there.

Until his retirement, Ron worked for General Telephone, now GTE, as a Division Manager in Jacksonville. He served as an Alderman for the City of Jacksonville under former mayor, Ron Tendick, and served as the Chairman for an annual United Way campaign. Ron was a long-standing member of Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and a trustee, and helped to construct the church's newest sanctuary.

Ron loved to go to breakfast and play golf with his good friends through his mid-80s. He loved to tell jokes learned from his good friends, and enjoyed eating homemade baked goods prepared for him by Joann.

Ron's children have many sweet memories of camping, fishing, golfing, traveling to Mexico and Branson, playing dominoes, and eating Ron's fabulous chocolate fudge that he made once a year.

Funeral arrangements have been made through Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville, with a visitation at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church on Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, with the funeral to follow at 11:00 AM. A private burial service will occur for family only after the funeral. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made either to Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church or Traditions Hospice. Condolences may be left online at buchanancody.com.