Ronald W. Mistretta

Husband, father, and friend, Ronald Wayne Mistretta, 78, passed away after a long illness on December 20, 2017. He was born October 25, 1939, in Grand Haven to the late Nuncie and Dorothy (Gardner) Mistretta. His passing was preceded by that of the love of his life, his wife of 51 years, Barbara Ann (Fulkerson) Mistretta, and their eldest son, Robert Michael Mistretta. Ron and Barb were married on February 2, 1963 in Lansing, IL following the completion of his service in the United States Army. They had two sons, Robert Michael and Peter Andrew. A successful businessman, Ron worked in sales, and then at Peoples Bank & Trust until 1985 when he became president of Nemco, Inc., leading the company through its most profitable years until his retirement. To his family, he was affectionately known as “Captain Ron” because of his lifelong love of boats and exploring the coast and rivers of Lake Michigan with family and friends. In 1993 Ron, Barb, and Bobby took their 37-foot Egg Harbor, the Honey Bouy, on a year-long cruise from Grand Haven to Fort Myers, FL, via the Erie Canal/Intracoastal Waterway and back — the trip of a lifetime. Ron is survived by his son Peter, daughter-in-law Kirston Fortune, and grandsons Julian and Vincent Mistretta, all of Chicago, IL; sisters Norma Patton of Grand Haven, Nancy Zarndt of Garden Grove, CA, and Mary Mistretta of St. John, IN; and sisters-in-law Patsy Tippie of Grand Haven and Georgia Urbanczyk of Pinellas Park, FL; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The Funeral Service for Ron will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at the Klaassen Family Funeral Home with Pastor Randy Bremmer officiating. Interment will be in Lake Forest Cemetery. Friends and relatives may meet the family 5 – 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Klaassen Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider the American Cancer Society. Sail on, Captain Ron. We will always carry your memory in our hearts.