Lake Bluff Obituary: Ronald James Moreland, 79

The following obituary was submitted to Patch.

Ronald James Moreland 79, passed away on July 23, 2015, at Edward J. Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Janice A. (Mummert) Moreland, three children, Kurt Owen (Kim) Moreland of Cary, IL, Kari (Gary) Pranger, of Springfield, IL, and Kraig William (Jennifer) Moreland of Lake Bluff, IL. eight grandchildren, Kaylin, of Cary, IL, Blake, Carter, Austin of Springfield, IL, Noah, Margo, Karch, and Wells of Lake Bluff, IL. Also surviving, brother John (Lillian) Moreland of Crete, IL, sister Anita Yovich (Daniel, deceased), of Kentwood, MI, and Ron’s cherished pet dog, PJ. He was preceded in death by his parents, James T. and Dorothea H. (Ruickert) Moreland of Chicago, IL. and his in laws, Carroll and Sara Mummert of DeKalb, IL. Ron was born November 17, 1935 in Chicago, IL and graduated from Bowen High School in 1954, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He pitched for Bowen in the City Championship at Wrigley Field and the All-City Team Game played at Comiskey Park. In 1954 he was drafted by the St. Louis Browns but served in the army during the Korean War, from 1954-1956, and also played baseball for the 42nd FA Finches while stationed in Germany for 19 months. He was a pitcher for the NIU baseball team from 1956-1960, and also served as an assistant baseball coach at NIU while receiving a Master’s Degree. In 1961, Ron was hired as a teacher, multi-sport coach, and department chairman at Lake Forest High School where he taught from 1961-1978. He was the head varsity baseball coach for 15 years, and his 1977 varsity team is on the Lake Forest High School Sports Wall of Fame. Ron founded and was a player/coach on the semi-pro North Shore Adult Baseball League Lakers, which later became the Lake Forest Travelers. Upon leaving Lake Forest High School in 1978, Ron worked in sales and sales administration before retiring in 1996.After 35 years in Lake Bluff, IL Ron and Jan retired to DeKalb, IL until 2009 when they moved n to Springfield, IL, where his wife Jan still resides. While living in Lake Bluff, he enjoyed fishing, boating, golf, travel, and horse racing. He was a member of the Lake Bluff Methodist Church. and loved taking his grandchildren to the pool and for visits to a local stable to pet & feed the horses, and feeding the ducks in a pond behind his house. A passionate sports fan, Ron seldom missed a high school track meet, baseball or football game in Springfield - especially those in which his grandchildren participated.

Private family services were held at Camp Butler Cemetery, Springfield, IL, with military honors, on August 5th. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Margo Moreland Charitable Foundation 120 Brierfield Court, Lake Bluff, IL 60044 or the Hines VA Hospital Hospice Program, 5000 S. 5th Avenue, Hines, IL 60141