Ronald Matonich

VULCAN- Ronald Michael Matonich age 81 of Vulcan, passed away peacefully at home on August 27, 2025, surrounded by loved ones after a courageous 12-year battle with prostate cancer. Ron was born on March 13, 1944 in Ironwood, the son of the late Michael and Rose (Pertile) Matonich of Bessemer. He graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer, class of 1962. After graduation, he decided to further his education by attending Gogebic Community College, Michigan State University and graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor of science degree in Biology. Ron was employed by the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department in 1967 as an environmental health director, where he worked faithfully for 41 years until his retirement in 2009. His strong work ethic and commitment left a lasting impression on his children, coworkers, and community. During his tenure, he received the “UP Public Health Merit Award” issued by the Upper Peninsula Public Health Association and the “Distinguished Service Award” issued by the Michigan Association of Local Environmental Health Administrators. Ron married JoAnn Degenaer on August 26, 1972 at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church in Vulcan. Ron and JoAnn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on August 26, 2022 with family and friends. He had a passion for sports at a very young age, learning to play them on the street in front of his house, and became a very good pitcher during his little league career with several no-hitters. Later in life, he fell in love with fast pitch softball and played for several years at the Northside ballfield in Iron Mountain. He was also a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan. An avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting, at the age of 8 he started trout fishing in the Powdermill Creek location in Bessemer and later began lake fishing. He spent many summers camping at the Lake Chippewa Flowage in Hayword, WI., with his wife JoAnn, daughter Nikki and son-in-law Kevin and their children, where he caught many fish. One of his favorite past-times was deer hunting. He loved telling everyone how much he enjoyed sitting in the deer stand before daylight waiting for the woods to come to life and listening to the wildlife wake up, even hearing a bobcat every once in a while. Another past-time he enjoyed was playing poker with his friends. They played nearly every week for over 50 years. Ron is survived by his wife of 53 years JoAnn; daughter Nicole (Kevin) Nelson; son Todd (April) Matonich; grandsons Noah Nelson and Troy (Angel) Matonich; granddaughters Teagan Nelson, Brandi (Wyatt) Yost, Abigayle Matonich and Izzabella Matonich; sister Virigina (Kim) Langdon; brother Michael (Jody) Matonich; along with many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his infant brother Gerald; sister Barbara Charles; and brother-in-law Ron Charles. Family will greet friends on Friday, October 10 from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Barbara's Church in Vulcan. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Barbara's Church, with Fr. Abraham Mupparathara officiating. Interment will follow at Norway Township Cemetery with a luncheon to follow in the Church basement. He will be deeply missed and remembered always and forever.

Ronald Matonich

March 13, 1944 - August 27, 2025