Ronald L. Garwick, 88 of Oro Valley, AZ, formerly of Morrison, IL, passed away on Monday, February 24, 2025, after a two-year battle with bladder cancer.
Ron was born March 7, 1936, in Clyde Township, Whiteside County, IL, to Reuben and Gladys (Stinemyer) Garwick. He graduated from Morrison Community High School in 1954 and went on to earn a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Dubuque[, IA,] in 1961. He proudly served in the U. S. Army for two years. In 1965, Ron married Joan Russell, who preceded him in death in 2004. He later married Viola May Simpson on October 1, 2011, in Morrison. Ron began his career with V. Mueller and Company in Atlanta, GA, working there from 1961 to 1968. He later returned to Morrison and served as the Administrator of Resthave Nursing Home from 1968 to 1988, followed by his tenure as Administrator of Parkway Center in Sterling, IL, from 1988 to 1999. Ron was a member of Emmanuel Reformed Church in Morrison; after moving to Arizona, he attended the Northminster Presbyterian Church in Tucson. He had formerly served on the Morrison United Methodist Church’s Board of Trustees and Building Committee. Ron was service minded, holding leadership positions including President of the Three Rivers Chapter of the Illinois Health Care Association; Board Member of Comprehensive Health Planning in Whiteside County; Vice President for the Comprehensive Health Planning of Northwest Illinois Regional Board of Directors; participant in the Peer Review for the Illinois Health Care Association. He also served on the Morrison Country Club Board of Directors. Beyond his professional and community commitments, Ron found joy in golfing with friends, traveling, and photography. In his later years, he enjoyed watching hummingbirds from his hospital bed. He was an avid fan of Western movies, often rewatching his favorites. Those who knew Ron recognized his love for the color red.
Survivors include his wife, Viola, of Arizona; nieces, Brenda (Mark) Queen of Manchester, MI, and Sheryl Norman of Ann Arbor, MI; sister, Elinor Norman of Waterville, OH.
He was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Joan.
Cremation rites have been accorded.
A memorial Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home.
His Memorial Service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the funeral home, officiated by Rev. Luke Schouten of Emmanuel Church in Morrison. IL.
Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery in Morrison, IL.
A memorial has been established to Resthave Care & Rehabilitation in Morrison, IL.