GREENCASTLE
Ronald Lavely, 69, of Greencastle, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, at his residence.
Ronald was born in Indianapolis on Sept. 20, 1948. He was a graduate of Tech High School.
Mr. Lavely served in the United States Army as a paratrooper and infantryman. He served with the 4th Infantry Division and was a sergeant on his second tour with Company A 3rd Infantry (Airborne) 503rd Infantry with the 173rd Airborne Infantry Brigade. He was very proud of his service as he met the brothers he longed for. He received two Purple Hearts and Medal of Valor, among others.
He returned to work at the Indianapolis Star News and the United States Post Office in Bloomington where he gained more brothers.
His proudest moments of life were his service to his country, his love for the outdoors and love of his only child, Megan Elizabeth Lavely.
He is survived by daughter, Megan Lavely; Megan’s boyfriend, whom he considered his friend and son, Mark Sillery; Mark’s three children, Cody, Luke and Hallee Sillery; those who called him Uncle Ron, Staci Stamper, Graci Russ, Matthew Dean, Mike Russ, Mackenzie Anders; longtime support group, Cathy ‘Dean-Lavely’ Siebrase, Mike Carmin, Richard Thompson, Max Myers, Steve Welty, Robert Estes, James Nagel, Nicholas Heesey; pen-pal from Vietnam, Susan Melbar; Thomas, Eric and Judi Birt, Steve and Sandy Dean, Carolyn and Michael Russ; importantly his three favorite doctors, Dr. Beth, Dr. Caldwell, Dr. Gray; many more survivors from the Vietnam War and the post office. He held them all close to his heart.
He was preceded in death by his brothers in Vietnam.
To live is to die – to die is to live again.
Services will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23 at Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home, 4 Percy L Julian Drive in Greencastle, with Pastors Donny Watson and Brian Langdoc officiating. Visitation will be from 2 p.m. until time of service on Thursday. Burial will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24 in Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Madison.
Memories may be shared with the family at Hopkins-Rector.com.
