Ronald J. Wasinger, 66, of Overland Park, Kansas, and former longtime resident of Russell, Kansas, died on April 5, 2011 at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Ron was born on February 1, 1945, to Andrew and Miriam Wasinger and grew up in Victoria, Kansas. He was a graduate of Victoria High School, played football for Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas, served in the U.S. Army Reserves, and later graduated from Ft. Hays State University. In 1966, he was united in marriage to Rita M. Leikam in Hays, Kansas. After almost 45 years of marriage they were blessed by 6 children and 11 grandchildren. Ron was a restaurant owner/manager and construction worker in Russell. For years he was a mainstay providing volunteer coaching and other services for Russell area youth baseball and softball organizations. More recently he enjoyed spending time with his ever-growing crew of grandchildren.

Ron was preceded in death by his father Andrew and brothers Clifford and John.

Surviving family include his wife Rita Wasinger of Overland Park, mother Miriam Wasinger of Victoria, son Ron Wasinger of San Diego, California, daughter Renee Bolte and her husband Brian of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, son Rick Wasinger and his wife Jackie of Overland Park, son Randy Wasinger and his wife Mary of Overland Park, son Ryan Wasinger and his wife Tonya of Overland Park, daughter Rebecca Coady and her husband David of Liberty, Missouri, brother Lloyd Wasinger and his wife Debbie of Manhattan, Kansas, sister Mary Bittel and her husband Marvin of Hays, Kansas, sister Rose Brown and her husband Brian of Gladstone, Missouri, and eleven grandchildren (Kayla, Kristen and Nate Bolte,  Cooper and Carson Wasinger,  Mackenzie,  Zoe,  and Andrew Wasinger,  Easton and Jaxson Wasinger,  and Alaina Coady.)

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, April 8, 2011, at St. Mary’s Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell. Visitation will be from 5 PM to 7 PM on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the St. Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church with the family present to greet guests from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday evening.  A rosary and vigil service will be held at 7 PM on Thursday evening April 7, 2011 at St. Mary’s Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell.  Burial will follow the funeral mass at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Russell.  In lieu of flowers and as a memorial, the family requests donations may be given to a research fund created to fight melanoma cancer established with the University of Kansas Cancer Center. Contact Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary or the University of Kansas Endowment Association for details on the memorial fund.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.