Obituary: Ronald Zeef, 83, of Ludington

Ronald Zeef

Obituary: Ronald Zeef, 83, of Ludington

Ronald Clare Zeeff, 83, of Ludington passed away on Tuesday, February 19, 2024.  Ron was born on December 3, 1940 in Grand Rapids, the son of Clarence and Johanna (Jansen) Zeeff, and graduated from Godwin Heights High School with the class of 1958.  While camping at Selkirk Lake with his family, Ron had the opportunity to meet a gal by the name of Diana Smith who was also camping with her family.  Their friendship grew into love and eventually were joined in marriage on July 9, 1960 and remained at each other’s side until Diana preceded him in death in 2018.  Ron was also preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Johanna (Peterson), his grandson-in-law Kyle Kelting, and his brother Kenneth Zeeff.

Ron began working at DeHaan Greenhouses and Eberhard Foods for 12 years before his father was able to sponsor him into Steelcase in the file cabinet assembly plant where he spent the next 32 years until his retirement in 1997.  In retirement, he and Diana moved to Ludington, along the shores of Hamlin Lake.  Ron was a hard worker and was always working on something.  Music was a big part of his life starting in school when he earned first chair in band.  It followed throughout his life as he would build sound systems for use at church, family functions, and for his daughter to use in her singing career.  Many family gatherings involved visits to a nearby lake.  His strong faith became the foundation he leaned on especially after the death of his beloved Diana.  They were both active members of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Ludington.

Ron will be greatly missed by his daughter Mandy Hildenbrand and husband Larry of Dorr; his son Scott Zeeff and wife Shari of Saugatuck; his grandchildren Lindsey Siegersma and husband Michael of Grandville, Kristen Kelting, and Emily Geurink and husband David all of Dorr; his great-grandchildren August Siegersma, Aubree, Reese, and Jolee Geurink, and Kendalyn and Kayson Kelting; his sister-in-law Janet Shimer of Ludington; and his very good friends Marilyn Bell and RuthAnn Dennis.

A ceremony to celebrate Ron’s Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 10 at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Ludington with Pastor Ryan White officiating.  Friends may meet with his family prior to the service from noon until 1 p.m. at the church with a luncheon immediately following the service.  Burial will take place for Ron and Diana at a later date at Burnips Cemetery in Dorr where they will be laid to rest next to their parents.

Those who wish to remember Ron with a memorial donation are asked to please consider Cornerstone Church Music Ministry.

Please visit Ron’s memory page at www.wymanfuneralservice.com to share a tribute or memory of Ron with his family.