Obituary of Ronald Tavener

A military memorial will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery, for Ronald Charles Tavener, age 74, of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, who died peacefully at his home on December 18, 2013. Ronald (Tav) was born July 17, 1939, in Toronto, Canada. At age two, he was adopted by Albert and Della (Magee) Tavener, who also previously adopted a daughter, Carolyn. All three preceded him in death. Ron joined the Army in 1957 at Detroit, Michigan right after high school graduation at age 17. His family had by then moved to the United States when he was around ten years of age. When Ron was discharged, he visited a friend, and fell in love with and made his home in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. He met and married Bonnie Jean Patros (the marriage ended in divorce); they had four children: Christine Thompson, Ripon, CA; Anthony Tavener, Green Bay, WI; Tracy Reinert, Stevens Point, WI; and Michele Lemper, Wisconsin Rapids, WI. He is survived by all four of his children, including a step daughter, Dawn Cook, White Sulphur Springs, WV. He also had seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. On July 31, 1993, Ron married Linda Meier Cook, also of Wisconsin Rapids and survived by her. Ron loved snow skiing and was on ski patrol for over 25 years at Sky Line ski hill at Friendship, WI. He was an avid gardener. It didn't matter whether it was flowers or vegetables. To plant a seed and watch it grow and reap the benefits was a true joy for him. He was also an active outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing, wind surfing, canoeing, mountain bicycling, and white water rafting along with camping with his family. As a boy and teenager, he was both a Cub and Boy Scout, earning the prestigious medal of an Eagle Scout. For years Ron was a member and usher at the First English Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Ronald will be truly missed by those that knew him. He had such a wonderful sense of humor and was always cracking jokes and was known to come up with funny one sentence zingers, with that great smile he had and a twinkle in his deep blue eyes. The memorial will be held at 3:00 P.M. Thursday, July 10, 2014 at Forest Hill Cemetery, at the family burial site. The site is located very close to the mausoleum. Family and friends are welcome to pay their final respects and say their good-byes to Ronald, at that time. Please join us. In lieu of flowers, if friend's wish, they can donate to the Boy Scouts of America, in Ronald's name. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylorfuneralhome.net.