Ronald C. Redlin

Racine - Ronald ("Skip") Redlin, age 83, on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at Kenosha Estates Living & Care Center. Ronald enjoyed life. He was the only child of Milton and Lenore (nee: Matter) Redlin and was brought up in a Catholic family during the depression and educated in the parochial and public schools. Old family photos show a prosperous family due to his father's trade as a tool and die maker. Some photos show the old family farm, at what is now 3545 Douglas Ave. He would often talk of his visits to the farm, especially noting the old way in which things were done in the pre-WWII times, like preparing sauerkraut on the back porch. During WWII, his father being exempt from the draft due to his critical manufacturing skills; Ron did find work after school work on farms working with German prisoners of war and later assisting in the war effort at Massie-Harris Company. During his school years he developed a passion for shooting, especially rifles and pistols. He became a very proficient shot, though his mother often was distressed by him cleaning his guns on the family furniture. Ron did not complete high school until 1966, earning his GED. Despite his native intelligence, he was a poor fit with classroom education. Ron began working as service technician, "grease monkey" at Hulbert Brothers. Ron received a chance to apprentice as a mechanic and became a journeyman mechanic. Ron loved cars, all things mechanical really; a trait shared with his father and passed on to his sons. In 1950 he married Ellen Elaine Hansen, and he converted to Lutheran. Their first son, Mark followed shortly on May 7, 1951. A second son, Nick followed on Jan 27, 1956 and a third son, Scott on Sept 19, 1960. Ron continued to work as a mechanic at the same firm, and was involved with both the UAW and Teamsters Unions during that time. The family prospered, enjoying yearly family vacations to northern Wisconsin with his Uncle Mike Matter's family, with good times had by all. The family purchased a house in West Racine in 1963. Ronald change employment to Twin Disc in 1966, using his skills first in repair and assembly, and then later in testing and development. Ronald also became involved in trap shooting becoming a lifetime member in the Wisconsin Sport and shooting on the Twin Disc Trap Team, as well as an avid reloader. Ronald and Elaine were separated in 1975. Ronald retired from Twin Disc in 1991. Ronald moved to the Douglas house and lived with his parents until 2004. Ron worked part-time as a WalMart greeter until 2005. He loved talking to people and was very gregarious. He enjoyed good food (steak and eggs and Kewpee burgers), good drink (Jack Daniels), indulging some gambling in casinos (always found a casino to visit nearby on any trip), sports pools and poker (Texas Hold'em) and travel vacations, including Las Vegas, Seattle, Texas (The Alamo and Corpus Christi), Graceland (huge Elvis fan), San Diego (esp. the Zoo), Yellowstone (Bighorn Battlefield), Black Hills (Wild Bill Hickok and Mt Rushmore) and PNW volcanoes. Ron loved action movies, and had a large collection of war and action hero movies. As years went by he became increasingly proud of his sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He moved to Killarney Court in 2004 and lived with son Mark until 2013 when deteriorating health required more continuous care. His condition deteriorated rapidly this month and he passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at Kenosha Estates Living & Care Center. Ronald is survived by his wife, Ellen Elaine Redlin, three sons; Mark J. Redlin, Nicholas P. (Janine)Redlin, Scott (Rebecca) Redlin, Uncle Mike (Lorraine)Matter; four grandchildren; Lori (John) Thoennes, Maggie Redlin, Nick Redlin, Jr., and Katie Redlin; two great-grandchildren; Abigail Fraass and Annabelle Thoennes. He is also survived by his cousins, Pat (Donald) Servi and Steven (Eunice) Matter, other relatives and friends. Ronald was preceded in death by his father, Milton Redlin; mother, Lenore Redlin, and a grandson, Douglas Redlin. Funeral services for Ronald will be held at Wilson Funeral Home on Sunday, March 23, 2014 at 3:00 pm with Pastor Jane Fryda from Gethsemane Lutheran Church officiating. Private interment will be held at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends may meet with the family from 12:00 pm until the time of service at 3:00 pm. Condolences may be expressed at www.wilsonfuneralhomeracine.com "Special thank you to Kenosha Estates Living and Care Center with very special thanks to the nurses and aids that attended to my father and allowed me to spend more personal time with my father. I'd also like to thank Dr. Ronald Schulgit and Allay Hospice."

Ronald C. Redlin

April 20, 1930 - March 16, 2014