Ronald Duster, age 73, of East Dubuque, Illinois, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, February 12, 2018, at home, with his family by his side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at St. Raphael’s Cathedral in Dubuque, with Fr. Alan Dietzenbach officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday and from 9:00 – 9:45 a.m. on Saturday at the Miller Funeral Home in East Dubuque.

Ron was born at home in Holy Cross, Iowa to Edwin Michael Duster and Rita Catherine Freiburger Duster. Ron has 2 sisters, Darlene (Jim) Mullen, Rosemary (Elmer) Arensdorf, and 3 brothers, Roger (Carol) Duster, Bob (Mary) Duster, and Gary (Patti) Duster. He loved his childhood, and spending time with family & friends. Some of his favorite childhood memories include the time he spent on family farms, and building a car with his dad and brothers when they were young.

He married his high school sweetheart, Susan Paar, and they had 3 children; Laura (Jason) Ozenkoski, Lisa (Geoff) Barklow, and Brian (Stacey) Duster. In the coming years their lives were blessed with 8 grandchildren: Codey (Tiffany) Ozenkoski, Jake Atchison, Whitney Barklow, Noah Barklow, Keagan Duster, Payton Duster, Jaylen Duster, and Rylin Duster and 3 great grandchildren; Grayson and Remy Ozenkoski and Ada Atchison.

Ron graduated from Senior High School in 1962. He worked at Renier’s in his younger years and then retired from John Deere at the early age of 49 after 30 years. He was a proud member of the UAW Local 94.

Once he retired, he and Sue took to the road in their RV where they enjoyed traveling, snow birding in Arizona and Florida for many years, and meeting new friends from across the United States.

Ron’s wife, children, and grandchildren were the joy of his life. His love for sports lived on through his kids and grandkids. Through the years he enjoyed coaching children in little league, watching his kids and especially his grandkids play sports. When they weren’t playing, he could be found cheering on the East Dubuque Warriors, Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs or his favorite NASCAR drivers, Dale Earnhardt, Sr, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. He also enjoyed his own reserved seat at the stock car races at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds and the Farley races. He always loved a good hand of Euchre, game of Rummikub and enjoyed gambling at the boat!

Ron was always a very handy guy and could build or fix anything needed. No project was ever too big; he built the second home he and Sue lived in with their kids. Ron loved cars but his pride and joy was building his 1940 Ford Pickup and taking it to car shows. His pick-up won several awards throughout the years at the car shows.

Ron lived a very large life, always had his family at his side and the enjoyment of many great friends, especially Pat Dillon, Lynn Tharp and Darel Hilkin who are just like family.

Being a good husband, dad, and grandpa were the most important things he did, and it remained so until his last day with us. He doesn’t want his family and friends to mourn his passing, he wants us to hug our family and friends, tell them we love them every day and enjoy life!

Ron has joined his mother, father, mother-in-law, father-in-law, uncles, aunts, and cousins in God’s Kingdom where he will continue to watch over us until we are all reunited.

We would like to send a very sincere thank you to Dr. Kristen Nelson and her nurse Joanie Hoppman, Patty Copeland with Finley Homecare and Kristen, Melissa and Peggy with Hospice of Dubuque for your continued support, compassion and care you gave Ron and his family.

In lieu of flowers a Ronald E. Duster memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com.