Ronald Dean Lash

Ronald D. Lash, age 86, of Glen Carbon, IL, passed away at 9:26 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Oliver Anderson Hospital in Maryville, IL. Ron was born in Shelby County, IL, the second son of the late Hal & Irene (Hoke) Lash. Ron married Janice Hunter on August 19, 1956, in Westervelt, IL. Besides his wife, Janice of 67 years, Ron is survived by his four children, Terry Lash & wife Julie, Moro, IL; Sandra Key & husband George, Edwardsville, IL; Leanne O'Gorman & husband Robert, Glen Ellyn, IL; and William Lash & wife Beth, Benton, IL. Grandchildren include Jason Lash & wife Kit, Sara Lesire & husband Ben, Julie Webb, Julie Lash, George Key Jr. & wife Melissa, Alexander Key & wife Kat, Madelyn O'Gorman & fiancé Cecil, Brian O'Gorman, Jack O'Gorman, Chase Bourgeois, Aimee Brinkmann & husband Tyler and Dylan Lash; great grandchildren, Eleanor, Henry, Luke, Audrey, Sophie and Gavin; a brother Roger Lash & wife Sally; and a sister-in-law Evelyn Lash. Besides his parents, Hal and Irene Lash, Ron was preceded in death by his brother, Arlen Lash. Ron graduated from the University of Illinois in 1958 with a B.S. in Animal Science. He would have loved to go back to farming, but instead went to work with Wilson Foods and rose through the ranks to become Senior Vice President before forming his own consulting firm and managing Kretschmar Brands. He then consulted with many other companies in the meat industry over the years until he retired. He loved the time spent with his family and friends, and in his younger days he loved traveling, hunting and fishing. In retirement, he dedicated his hard work and focus to the arts of barbecuing and gardening, and loved nothing more than to share these with his family. He will be dearly missed by his children who relied on his sage advice, enjoyed his cooking experiments and learned from him to honor family first. His grandchildren will miss his mischievous sense of humor and stories. Friends and family will gather at Weber-Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville on Friday March 10, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00. Interment will be private at the Findlay Cemetery in Findlay, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the memory of Ronald Lash to the Animal Science Scholarship Fund through the University of Illinois Foundation (search 11341235) @ uif.uillinois.edu Weber & Rodney Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.