Ronald Michael Franchuk

Ronald Michael Franchuk, "Mayor of Highfield" Ronald Franchuk passed away peacefully at home at the age of 80 on Sunday, April 21, surrounded by loved ones. The son of Anna (Durnak) Franchuk (d. 1953) and Michael Franchuk (d. 1986) of Highfield and Red-Row, Ronnie was born in and lived his entire life in Highfield, of which he was fondly referred to as the mayor. In 1955, he married Anna Evans. Ron served in the US Army in Germany during the Korean conflict, worked most of his career at J&L Steel (as a crane operator) and Pullman-Standard (as a clerk), and helped to run the family's mink farm business. He played baseball for Highfield in the Eagle County league, ran a record hop for Highfield youth in the 1960s, and founded and played in a horseshoe league and a billiards league. He was also a founder, continual member, and frontman for the band Bier, which played throughout the Butler area for many years in the 1980s and 1990s. Ronnie was a sports fan, and in particular a lifelong baseball fan, avidly following the Pirates through thick and thin. He enjoyed cooking and procuring the necessary ingredients, leading to his second nickname, the Green Grocer. Ron was a member of St. Peter's RC Church. He survived 3 different forms of cancer over the course of 26 years, baffling his doctors and delighting his friends and family. Ronnie will always be warmly remembered for his guitar playing and singing, his ability to bring people together, his reluctance to socialize but inability to stop socializing, his devotion to family and friends, and his inexhaustible sense of humor, which he retained until his last breaths. He is survived by his wife, 4 children Kim Fleeger and husband Jeff of Butler, Kevin and Jamie of Butler, Kerry and Olga Shirabon of Moscow, Russia, and Kelly and Julie of Cleveland, Ohio – 5 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Friends will be received at Young Funeral Home, Ltd., 127 W. Jefferson St., Butler, on Thursday, April 25, 2013 from 2-4 & 7-9PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 26th at 10AM at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, Franklin St., Butler. Interment in the Butler County Memorial Park with military honors by VFW#249 and American Legion #778. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Ron Franchuk's name to the American Cancer Society (1-800-227-2345; www.cancer.org/donate).

Ronald Michael Franchuk

June 30, 1932 - April 21, 2013