Ronald Edward Scholly

Ronald Edward Scholly, 61, died on Saturday, December 21, at Bronson Methodist Hospital, from complications of heart surgery.

Ron was born on September 14, 1963, in Butler, Pennsylvania to Frank Scholly and Janet O’Halloran. Ron’s family moved to Portage, Michigan in 1968 and he attended Portage Public Schools, graduating from Portage Northern in 1981. Ron attended technical school in Lima, Ohio, now known as University of Northern Ohio. Ron played baseball at West Portage Little League and Rocket Football. He enjoyed bowling, playing in leagues at Continental Lanes and Airway Lanes. Racing cars at Galesburg Speedway was a hobby in the mid-1980s.

Family friends since 1968 when their fathers worked together, Ron married the former Dori Vdoviak in an outdoor ceremony in 1994, joining the two families forever. Ron was happiest at Steve’s farm, “putzing” around on tractors and unclogging beaver dams in the spring. He shot many deer at the farm, mounting the antlers and spreading stories about the “big one that was packing the mail.”

Ron enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, and working with his son, John. You could often find Ron and John golfing 36 holes on a Saturday in July when John was in school. Ron was a former member at Hickory Ridge in Galesburg, enjoying the members only tournaments. He also enjoyed the tournaments that Comstock High School and Junior Golf Association sponsored. Ron loved going out for breakfast, eating almost every morning at Julianna’s when living in Kalamazoo, and most recently at Copper Kettle in Athens. Paranormal phenomenon and finding Bigfoot shows on Netflix were always on the TV, something Dori put up with. He was always tricking her into looking for Bigfoot while traveling in Northern Michigan to their cottage in Waters, Michigan, where they spent many happy times around the campfire and swimming in Lake Marjory.

Ron was employed with the City of Kalamazoo for 25 years working in the shop as a mechanic and later in the Forestry Division, retiring in 2021. Ron was known to be able to fix almost anything! He was always learning and held many certifications through the State of Michigan.

Ron and Dori sold their home in Comstock Township in April 2024, and moved to East Leroy, renting a home on 60 acres. Ron was happiest watching the wildlife from his firepit and taking potshots at the groundhogs that lived in the soybean field beyond the house. Dori would call out that she was going to bed and he would finally come into the house, smelling of wood smoke and the outdoors.

Ron is survived by his wife, Dorinda; son, John, and his girlfriend, AnnMarie Noyes (Rosalee and Scarlett Dunn); his father, Frank Scholly (Shirley) and mother, Jan O’Halloran (Mike); brothers, Mike (Susan), Dave (Terry), and sister, Cindi; step-brothers, Ken (Anita) O’Halloran, Todd Joyce; step-sisters, Amy O’Halloran, Tennille Sively; special cousin, Jim (Doreen) Scholly; and special niece, Carla Jaquays; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In accordance with Ron’s wishes a celebration of his life will occur from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Julianna’s Restaurant on Lake Street, Kalamazoo. A light luncheon will be served with many desserts, Ron’s favorite part of the meal! Family and friends are invited to share stories and memories of Ron. Attire is flannel shirts, T-shirts, jeans, hunter’s orange, and camouflage clothing.

A private burial of Ron’s remains will occur in warmer weather with a pig roast and bonfire at Ron and Dori’s home in East Leroy.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Comstock Community Center to give support to the Wilbur and Charlotte Courter Memory Care Facility.