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C. Ronald Carlson

His story has ended, now to be cherished and retold by his loved ones and friends. Charles Ronald Carlson (Ron) died on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. He was born May 27, 1934, the son of Charlie and Edith Owens Carlson. Ron’s dear sister Gayle Ettinger predeceased him in 2012.

Ron was president of the Warren High School Class of 1952, and he remained active in class reunion activities throughout his life. He graduated from Penn State University in 1956 with a degree in dairy science.

The Carlson’s were saddle club ‘horse people’. As a young man, Ron and his horse Snicker won many trophies and ribbons for his roping and riding skills.

Ron was introduced to his future wife June Gustafson at a Christmas eve service at the Scandia Church. Maybe it was winning a jitterbug dance contest that sealed the deal: they were married the following November 25, 1955 in the Russell Methodist Church.

In his teen years, Ron and his now life-long friend Rod McCullough worked at the North Warren Mobil service station. After college, Ron worked for the Pa. Dept. of Agriculture before becoming the manager of OATKA Dairy Cooperative in Batavia, N.Y. In 1968 he bought and revitalized a corner store/restaurant in North Warren. The restaurant was known for its tasty Friday night fish fry and was popular with the early morning coffee-toast-and-a- smoke crowd. He sold the business in 1983 and became a salesman for Bowman/Barnes, retiring from that position in 1999. In his retirement, Ron made flower deliveries for Ekey’s.

Ron was a long-time member of the Conewango Clippers Barbershop Chorus, serving terms as its president and earning the ‘Barbershopper of the Year’ Award. He reveled in the planning and participating in the annual show and Afterglow party with the chorus and guest quartets. For many years he enjoyed programming and hosting a Saturday afternoon radio show of Barbershop music on WRRN.

In earlier years, Ron was a member of the Sertoma (Batavia) and Kiwanis service clubs. Ron and June were active members of the Warren First Presbyterian Church and valued its spiritual and social fellowship. He served as a deacon and as a volunteer at A Sharing Place. Retired Ron and fellow Barbershoppers sang for Sunday services in many local churches and local retirement communities.

He was a numismatist, enjoying buying, selling, and collecting.

Ron and June, who survives, were loving, supportive, and loyal parents and grandparents. For all of the school projects, sports and arts events, Ron and June were there with cheers, applause, and smiles and hugs when it was over.

The couple enjoyed Sunday drives, snowmobiling, the company of their card club friends, gardening, and in their retirement discovered the joys of golf. Memorable travels include visiting their son and his family in Taiwan, Dewey Beach vacations, a trip by train with their youngest grandchildren to Disney World, and celebrating their 50th anniversary with a trip to England.

In addition to his parents and sister, Ron was preceded in death by his wife’s parents, Arvid and Allie Jesperson Gustafson, his daughter in law Regina Lin Carlson, his wife’s siblings and their spouses: Angie (Benny) Muczynski (Bill) Huber, Carl (Erma) Gustafson, Marvin Gustafson (wife Marie survives), Ethel (Chuck) Alspaugh, and Anne (Bill) Alspaugh; nephew Dick Muczynski and niece Cindy Alspaugh Klempay.

Ron is survived by his wife June, children Jean Rhoads (Barry), Janice Carlson (Bill Struchen), Ron Carlson (Regina, dec.); his grandchildren Alex Rhoads, Nick Rhoads (Tatum), Mike Rhoads, Kaely Carlson, and Owen Carlson; stepgrandchildren Sara Waterman (Mike), Jonathan Struchen; step great-granddaughter Sydney, newest family member great-grandson Finn Alan Rhoads, born August 13, cousins, brother in law Gary Ettinger, sister in law Marie Gustafson, cousins, and many nieces and nephews.

The family thanks those who cared for and assisted Ron at Family Medicine of Warren, Warren General Hospital, and the Rouse Suites and Nursing Home.

Please join us in celebrating Ron’s life at the First Presbyterian Church of Warren on Saturday, September 18th. Visiting hours begin at 10:30 a.m. and the memorial service begins at 12 noon, with Rev. Rebecca Taylor officiating. A luncheon will be served at 1 p.m. at the Warren Women’s Club. A private interment service will be held at a later date.

Flowers gratefully declined. Instead, please make a donation to The Smile Train, The Spinal Cord Society, the Army Ranger Lead the Way Fund, The First Presbyterian Church of Warren, or the charity of your choice.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to the Peterson Blick Funeral Home. Those wishing to make online condolences may do so by visiting www.peterson blickfuneralhome.com