Ronald O. Maier

Ronald Otto Maier, 78, of Berrien Springs, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday morning, October 15, 2013, in Berrien Springs near his home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Monday, October 21, 2013 at 11:30 am at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9193 Cleveland Avenue, Baroda, MI, with Pastor Brad Ross officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Friends may visit the family on Sunday, October 20, from 2-4 pm at Heritage Chapel, 8747 US 31, Berrien Springs, MI. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan, Countryside Academy’s, FFA, the Athletic Department, or the donor’s choice. Those wishing to share a memory of Ron may do so online at www.heritage-chapel.com. Ron was born November 8, 1934 in Berrien Springs, MI to Jacob & Marie (Seifert) Maier. He attended Hinchman School. He started at an early age working on the family farm. He was a charter member and very proud to have three family generations baptized, confirmed and married at St. John’s in Baroda. He was also a proud member of the National FFA and Berrien County 4-H Club. On April 30, 1955, he married Carol Ott and from this union three beautiful daughters were born. He began his many years of dedicated hard work at Nylon Products, Norton Door Closer, Paramount Die Cast and lastly, Premier Too & Die in Berrien Springs from which he retired in 2002 after 29 years. On October 7, 1995, he married Jean McMichael and they recently celebrated 18 years together. Ron enjoyed puttering around in the pole barn and in his yard and garden. He loved listening to old-time radio shows, watching Family Feud and other classic game shows. Ron thoroughly enjoyed all the attention he got while driving his little Smart Car, aka “Big Red.” He supported his grandkids by attending all of their sporting events, 4-H & Youth Fair activities and other functions. He always had the need to satisfy his sweet tooth and stick to his “daily routines.” He never hesitated to lend a helping hand when needed. He was a loving, dedicated and hard-working man that will be missed dearly by all his family and friends. Ron is survived by his wife Jean Maier of Berrien Springs; daughters Debbie (Robert) Grossi of Maine, Donna Tober of Benton Harbor, and Cindy (Eric) WoodBury of North Carolina; step-sons James (Thora) McMichael of Niles, and William McMichael of Buchanan; step-daughters Carol (Robert) Anglemyer of Jones, and Belinda McMichael of Buchanan; grandchildren Allison, Amanda and, Alexis Tober, and Hannah and Christian WoodBury; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws and many step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Alex, Jacob, Mollie, Rose, Adam, David, Esther, Hank and Lena; and son-in-law C. David Tober, on September 7, 2003.