Ronald Gene Hettenhausen, 90, born March 22, 1934, in Belleville, IL, died Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL, and entered the gates of Heaven to reunite with his sons, Rick and Randy.
Named after Ronald Reagan, Ron was an only child and talented entertainer from an early age. He enjoyed his extensive travel throughout the United States with his parents and dreamed of attending Notre Dame. He graduated from Belleville Township High School and Belleville Area College.
He was so proud to have served in the United States Marine Corps and was inspired to do so by his uncle, Clarence Hettenhausen, USMC. Clarence was killed in combat in Okinawa Japan during WWII, at the age of 19. He was a Purple Heart recipient and remains listed as MIA to this day.
Ron loved and breathed the United States Marine Corps. Ronald Reagan once said, “Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the Marines didn’t have that problem.” “Semper Fidelis” is the Marine Corps motto, Latin for “Always Faithful.” Ron followed that motto all the days of his life.
Ron was the president and owner of Endres Sales, Inc. He was honored to continue the business operation established in 1917 by his maternal grandfather, Adolph Endres, and his father, Lorraine Hettenhausen. The auto dealership originally known as Endres Motor Sales, Inc. sold and serviced Studebaker, Mercedes and Jeep cars. As time passed, the business transitioned to bicycle sales and service. He was held in high regard by all of the employees who had the privilege of working for him. Ron served as a father figure to many and forged lifelong friendships though the generations of customers who loved to recount memories of their experiences purchasing their first bike. Also, known as the “Schwinn Man” he was considered to be local celebrity to people in all walks of life. He was deeply involved with the City of Belleville and considered himself an ambassador to the city he loved. He was a Special Deputy with the St. Clair County Sheriff Department and was a member of the Belleville Area Chamber of Commerce.
He worked tirelessly to keep the business going and friends would stop by to visit, pay tribute and share memories of good times. Ron was a devoted husband and son, a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Affectionately known as “Paup” he was adored by his family and was the finest patriarch we could have ever hoped for. He never met a stranger and always had a story to tell. He was a true patriot and loved his country. He was a selfless man and never wanted for himself. He always put family first, especially the love of his life, his beautiful bride JoAnn.
He persevered through the challenges of illness the past few years because he never wanted to leave his wife. All they wanted was to be together.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lorraine and Ruth, nee Endres, Hettenhausen; two sons, Randy, in infancy, and Rick Hettenhausen; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Aloys and Lillie, nee Pees, Schobert; his sister-in-law, Janice, nee Schobert, Gibbons; and a niece, Christy Schobert.
Surviving are his wife of 71 years, JoAnn, nee Schobert, Hettenhausen; three children, Cynthia (David) Horace, Scott (Bonnie) Hettenhausen, and Alisa French; a daughter-in-law, Julie (Chris) Schaefer; eight grandchildren, Brad (Amanda) Hettenhausen, Brittany (Bryan) Jarvis, Alyssa (Chris) Suntrup, Ryan Horace, Taylor Horace, Ashley Hettenhausen, Nicole Hettenhausen, and Ellayna French; nine great-grandchildren, Rick Ethan “Ari”, Zoe, and Eleanor Hettenhausen, Carter, Norah, and Madelyn Jarvis,
and Blaise, Baron, and Bishop Suntrup; two brothers-in-law, Dave (Pat) Schobert and Tom Gibbons; a nephew, Tim (Lori) Schobert; and his beloved aunt, Betty Eckert.
Special thanks to Dr. Bea Pardo, Dr. Hatim Mahmood, his dedicated caregivers, Vicki and Bobbi, and all those who treated him with kindness and dignity, surely extending the duration of his life. He was an outstanding, gifted and loyal gentleman.
In lieu of flowers, we graciously ask that you share a smile, a hug, a kind word, or a good deed to honor the man we loved. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit the family from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.
Burial with military honors will be at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.
May God bless him always and until we meet again. “Semper Fi My Love.”
