Ronnie Joe Belcher

Ron Belcher - Husband, father, son, uncle, and his favorite title- Papa.

He was born in Rockford, IL to Rosa and Ralph Belcher of Princeton, WV where he loved spending his summers as a kid playing with his uncle and cousins after a long road trip with his faithful chihuahua companion- Silky.

Ron grew up as the middle child of two sisters - Arlene and Shelly. He attended Harlem High School where he played baseball and ran track and loved that his granddaughters, Olivia and Claire, followed in his footsteps in softball. One of his favorite things to do was text or call the girls to talk sports.

In 1980, Ron married the second love of his life (after Texas Hold-Em), Kathy Matranga and was embraced by her big Italian family and extended family. He was everyone’s “Uncle Rondo”.

As a realtor for over twenty years, Ron had “a guy for that” and never knew a stranger. Something his daughter, Magan, would roll her eyes at while growing up but now knows that Dad was always making connections. Even if he did quote “the greatest movie of all time,” The Big Lebowski.

Ron was an avid Da Bears, Bulls, and Cubs fan. He would tell everyone who would listen that “this was gonna be their year.” At least he always got to watch his nieces, nephews, and godchildren play sports in Winnebago, IL so he got in a few championship seasons.

Everyone who knew Ron loved his laugh, a full belly laugh that would make you smile right along with him. Everyone from his former softball and bowling teammates to the guys he sat with at the poker table are probably smiling now as they read about his infectious laugh.

Ron was an organ donor and his legacy will live on with 75 people receiving the gift of his organs and soft tissue. Something we know he would tell everyone about if he could.

A celebration of life will be announced for later this summer to share laughs, memories, and photos of the legacy of Ron Belcher.