Ronald F. Armstrong passed away at his home in Holiday, Fla. on Aug. 31, 2002, at the age of 75. Ronald was born Oct. 11, 1926, in Kalkaska County, to Fred and May Armstrong who preceded him in death.
Ron joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and served during World War II. Upon leaving the service in 1946 he was united in marriage on June 15. 1946, to Norma Jean DeFreese, also of Kalkaska.
Ronald worked for the U.S. Post Office in Kalkaska for 33 years, many of these years as a rural carrier. After his retirement from the post office, he and his wife Norma moved to Florida in 1982, while spending some summers at their other home in Grayling.
The family members preceding him in death besides his parents were Norma Armstrong, his loving wife of 47 years; son Grant E. Armstrong; brother Loren Armstrong; and foster brother Lloyd Beaver.
Surviving are sons Ronald (Linda). Armstrong of Gaylord and James (Anne) Armstrong of Fort Wayne, Ind.; daughter Sharalyn (Jim) Beadle of Kalamazoo; sister Sybil (Cleo) McCullen of Oregon; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Upon cremation a special military funeral service was held Sept. 10. 2002, at North Meadow Lawn Cemetery, New Port Richey, Fla. A special thanks to the people at Gulfside Regional Hospice of New Port Richey, Fla. for the loving care and support that they provided for Ronald and his children.
