Ronald “Ronnie” Dean Elswick, a resident of Albia, passed away on November 4th, 2023 at Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born on May 31, 1947 in Albia, Iowa to Donald Cloyed and Maxine (Carlton) Elswick. He lived a vibrant life filled with laughter and love until his 76th year. Known for his witty humor and infectious laughter, he brought joy and light into the lives of those around him. Above all, he held a deep and unyielding love for his family, cherishing every moment spent with them.
He graduated from Albia High School, class of 1965. He joined the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era as a Firefighter in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Anchorage, Alaska. Ronnie married Lucy Pace on May 26, 1973 in Udell, Iowa. He proudly owned his own truck, and over the years he hauled for many companies, but most recently enjoyed hauling for C & A Transportation until his retirement in March of 2020. He had many CB names: Ron Dog, Peanut Butter, Dice Man, and Super Trucker. He was a human atlas to all of his family and friends. He liked NASCAR and was an Iowa Hawkeye Fan. He grew up always having and enjoying his livestock. He enjoyed drinking coffee and socializing with all his buddies.
Ronnie is lovingly remembered by his beloved wife of fifty years, Lucy Elswick. Their love and shared life brought forth an incredible family, including their children, Jason (Sarah) Elswick of Kirkwood, IL, Jennie (Gary) Stephens, Jon (Amy) Elswick, and Jill Kosman and Chris Wirtjes, all of Albia. The legacy of Ronnie’s kind spirit and funny demeanor continues to live on through his grandchildren, who brought him immeasurable joy, Sydney and Ethan Elswick, Nicole Stephens (Dusty Long), Kasi (Kile) Overmyer, and Spencer Stephens, Hannah and Hayleigh Starr and Hayden Elswick, Carter and Collin Kosman, and Wrenlee Wirtjes; great grandchildren, Averie Harris and Ella Long, Madilynn and Brecken Overmyer; siblings, Donna (Larry) Hindman of Albia, and Robert (Barb) Elswick of Albia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Maxine Elswick; grandparents, Roy “Pampy” and Martha Elswick, Leslie and Mayme Carlton, and father and mother-in-law, Winston Sr. and Lorene Pace.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia with Larry Bettis officiating. Interment will follow in Oak View Cemetery with military rites conducted by the American Legion of Albia, Lovilia & Melrose. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, opening to the public at 2:00 p.m., with family present from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday evening at Sinnott Funeral Home in Albia. Memorials directed to the family and will be determined later.
We invite all who knew and loved Ronnie to leave cherished memories, share stories, and upload photos on his memorial page. His wit, humor, and most importantly his love for family, will forever be remembered in our hearts.
