Ronald L. Hainds, of Jacksonville, Illinois passed to his eternal home on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the age of 78. He was born September 20, 1948, in Burington, IA to Russell E. and Frances M. (Lox) Hainds. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Shirley M. (Davis) Hainds. Together they had three children–Christian Davis Hainds of Hammond, IN, Kiley Kate-Ellen Hainds (husband Joseph Bopp) of West Chicago, and Johanna Ley Hainds of Jacksonville. He is also survived by three grandchildren–Josef Demitry Hainds, Madelyn Grace Bopp, and Grant Michael Bopp. Additional survivors include two brothers, Russell Eugene Hainds, Jr. (Dorothy) of Oquawka, and Dr. Timothy Lavern Hainds (husband Scott Rausch) of Oquawka and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; one sister, Nannette Marie Torrance (deceased husband, Joe) of Oquawka; and four special double cousins, Kathy Hainds of Puero Vallarta, Mexico, Karen Hainds Debner (deceased husband, Bob) of Colorado Springs, CO, Dani Jo Hainds (husband, Mike Lloyd) of Green Mountain Falls, CO, and Curtis Hainds of Colorado Springs, CO.  Additionally, he is survived by numerous nephews, nieces, and a multitude of first cousins, as well as several great nephews and nieces.  Family was extremely important to Mr. Hainds.

Ron grew up in Oquawka, IL and was very proud of his hometown. He never forgot his roots. After graduating from Union High School in Biggsville, IL, he attended Western Illinois University and graduated cum laude with a degree in business education in June 1970. The following year, he earned his M.S. in Business Education at the same university and later earned a general administrative certificate there. During his graduate year at WIU, he met his wife, Shirley, whom he married on July 6, 1974, at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Jacksonville. They have continued to be members of that church since the early 1970s. During that time, Ron served as a Sunday school teacher, a member of the church choir, a member of the praise band, served the church as treasurer for several years and continued to serve on the Budget and Finance Committee for a number of years, chairing the committee in 2013. Additionally, he served as an active deacon for three years and also served on the church's Constitution and By-Laws Committee. He was also part of a seven-member men's prayer group for many years, a group about which he felt very deeply.

Mr. Hainds began his career teaching business classes at Jacksonville High School in August, 1971 and continued being the accounting instructor for 32 years and business department chair for 19 years. Additionally, he was Director of Career and Technical Education for Jacksonville School District 117 for 27 years. During his tenure he oversaw adult education LPN and CNA programs in School District 117, as well as secondary programs in agriculture, business, family and consumer science, health occupations, and technology and engineering education. He had a passion for what he did and never forgot the many students who really touched his life. After 41 years of employment by the Jacksonville School District, he became System Director for the Two Rivers Career Education System which oversaw similar programs in the districts of Jacksonville, Franklin, Virginia, Triopia, Meredosia-Chambersburg, Bluffs, Brown County, Winchester, and Beardstown. He retired from that position after three years. Teaching was definitely Mr. Hainds' calling, and he always delighted in seeing former students pursuing successful careers in which he may have played a small part. He belonged to various professional organizations including Pi Omega Pi, a national honorary fraternity for business education undergraduate students; was charter president of Beta Chi Chapter of Delta Pi Epsilon, a graduate business education honorary fraternity; Jacksonville Education Association where he served two terms as treasurer and twice served as recorder for negotiations; National Education Association; Western Illinois Area Business Education Association serving two terms as president; Illinois Business Education Association; National Business Education Association; Illinois Association of Career and Technical Education; National Association of Career and Technical Education; the Illinois Career and Technical Education Administrators Association, and the Illinois Retired Teachers Association.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 11 A.M. Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church. The family will meet friends 10-11 A.M. prior to the service. A reception will be directly after the service. Memorial gifts may be made to Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church or the Jacksonville Public School Foundation to benefit CTE Programs. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be made at buchanancody.com.