John R. Ronk (1986-1998)

Birth: August 17, 1927

Death: February 22, 2009 (Age 81)

Burial: Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery (Chilton, Calumet County, Wisconsin)

John R. ""Rod"" Ronk was born August 17, 1927 in Sheboygan, son of the late George & Bertha (Lerch) Ronk. Rod was raised in the Chilton area by his aunt & uncle Theresa and  Frank Munker. He married Mary Ann Nennig on October 27, 1962 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chilton. He served in the United States Army from 1955 until 1957, was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, German-American Club, was a Charter member of the Chilton Athletic Club, was the president of the 'Friends of the Library', a former member & past president of the Calumet County Civic Association, the Chilton Area Development, past president of the Calumet County Historical Society, and past member of both the Chilton Public Library Board, and the Manitowoc/Calumet Library System Board. Rod loved his beloved City of Chilton and gained so much knowledge and history of the city that he earned the nickname 'Mr. Chilton'. He also served his community as an Alderman for 8 years and was elected Mayor of Chilton, first in 1986 and continued to serve a period of 12 years before retiring in 1998. With a lot of determination and hard work, Rod coordinated & completed The New Tales of Old Chilton, a 200+ page updated book on Chilton's history. In 2007, Rod was named the Chilton Citizen of the Year; a title he wore with great pride and honor. He thoroughly enjoyed genealogy research and helped many people located locally, nationally, and even internationally, trace family lineage through Chilton. Rod also wrote numerous articles, mainly historical, for the Chilton Times Journal, enjoyed watching, and in his younger years, playing sports. He was an avid Wisconsin Badger fan, and he enjoyed reading, traveling, crossword puzzles, playing cards and spending time with his family and friends. He and his wife,  Mary had four children: Julie (Kevin) Penneau of Milwaukee, Joe Ronk of Berlin, Germany, Jim (Tricia) Ronk of Chilton, John (Julia) Ronk of Fresno, CA; & 6 grandchildren: Tyler, Allison & Haley Ronk, Conor & Kieran Penneau, and John Dylan Ronk. He was preceded in death by his parents; his step father: John Schleh; 2 brothers: Donald (Florence) Ronk, G.J. ""Tiny"" (Becky) Ronk; and a step-brother: Robert (Emma Jean) Schleh.