Ronald L. Best's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Ronald Lee Best, age 68 of Charleston, Illinois, passed away at 7:10 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2019, at his home and surrounded by family, following a two-year battle with cancer. A Memorial Service in his honor will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church, 311 Seventh Street, Charleston, Illinois, with Reverend Mary Wright officiating. A luncheon will be served at the church immediately following the service. A private inurnment will be held for immediate family later that afternoon in Thomas Lincoln Cemetery, 12988 East Lincoln Highway Road, Lerna, Illinois. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, September 3, 2019, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, Illinois. Ron was born September 2, 1950, at Memorial Methodist Hospital in Mattoon, Illinois, the son of James Virgil and Dorothy May (Sappington) Best. He married Tina Ruyle on July 25, 1982 in Charleston. Ron is survived by his wife of 37 years, Tina Best of Charleston, and three children, Amy Best Lepak (Karl) of Glendale, Arizona, Bryce Best of Queen Creek, Arizona, and Kelly Best Hutti (Jon) of Charleston. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Alexander Hannah and Heidi Hannah of Glendale, Arizona, Claire Best and Maguire Best of Queen Creek, Arizona, and Benjamin Hutti and Jackson Hutti of Charleston. Ron also leaves two brothers, John Best (Marian) of Charleston, and Gary Best of Ventura, California; and two sisters, Brenda Best Stone (Chris) of Lerna, Illinois and Barbara Best Robertson of Beavercreek, Ohio, along with nieces and nephews and many other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Ron was a 1968 graduate of Charleston High School and a 1972 graduate of Eastern Illinois University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a major in social science and a minor in history. After graduation, he taught economics at Charleston Middle School and served as assistant baseball coach at CHS for a year before joining his father in running the family farm. Ron farmed until his retirement in 2016. He was also the owner of Best Spot Farm from 1972 until 1987, running a purebred swine operation where he raised, exhibited, and sold purebred swine breeding stock throughout the United States. Ron was a long-time member of the Charleston Country Club and Coles County Farm Bureau, serving on the board of directors of both organizations. He was also a member of the Illinois Spotted Breeders Association, where he served as a state director and officer from 1976-1986. He was honored as Coles County Outstanding Young Farmer in 1982. In addition, Ron served for a number of years on the Thomas Lincoln Cemetery board. Ron greatly enjoyed bowling and playing competitive slow pitch softball in his younger years. He later became an avid golfer, enjoyed riding his motorcycle, reading, traveling with his wife and children, and meeting his friends for coffee. Ron was very outgoing, and never knew a stranger. He was a devoted family man and coached his children in baseball, softball, and soccer as they were growing up. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Coles County Fair Association for Swine Barn Improvement, and may be left at the service/visitation or mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel. Click here to view memorial video. Memorial ServiceThe Memorial Service honoring and celebrating the life of Ronald Best was held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at the Charleston First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Mary Wright officiating. Paul Johnston served as pianist providing prelude and postlude selections and accompanied soloist, Cameron Craig who sang ""There You'll Be"" and ""Thank You For Being My Dad"". Giving eulogies were Dr. Charles Price, Kelly Best Hutti, Amy Best Lepak, Brenda Best Stone and Darryl Christen. Psalm 23 was read by Barbara Best Robertson. Following the service a meal was served in the church fellowship hall which featured many of Ron's favorite foods. A private inurnment attended by Ron's immediate family was at 3:00 p.m. that afternoon at the Thomas Lincoln/Shiloh Cemetery located in Pleasant Grove Township near Lerna, Illinois. Visitation Adams Funeral Chapel Tuesday, September 03, 2019 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Email Details 2330 SHAWNEE DRCHARLESTON, Illinois 61920 Directions Memorial Service First Presbyterian Church Wednesday, September 04, 2019 11:00 AM Email Details 311 Seventh StreetCharleston, IL 61920 Directions
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