Ronald R. "Ron" Alexander, 79, of Bristol, passed away peacefully following an illness at Elkhart General Hospital on Saturday, January 27.

Ron and his twin brother, Don, were born in Elkhart IN on November 26, 1938, to Richard R Alexander and Bette J (Eisenbeiss) (Alexander) Thompson, who preceded him in death.  Ron's grandparents, Sam and Gladys Mast, his in-laws, Glen and LoLita Green, his brother-in-law, Ronald Green, and step-father Lorenzo "Rusty" Thompson also preceded him in death.

He married Gwendolyn K. Green in Elkhart on December 2, 1962.  Ron is survived by Gwen, their daughter, April McBride and son-in-law, Tim Barczak, grandsons, Derek (Chelsea) McBride, Austin McBride and Austin Barczak; great-grandson, Grady McBride, and great-granddaughter, Annora McBride, as well as his two brothers, Donald (Terrie) Alexander, Bristol, and Randy (Jessica) Thompson, LaPorte TX; and his sister-in-law Debbie Whitley, Elkhart.

Other family members Ron cherished are his ten nieces and nephews:  Jay (Amy) Alexander, Katy, Texas; Holly (Phil) Hickman, Gina Alexander and her fiancé Doug Rice, Jeff (Tami) Murray, all of Elkhart; Shelley (Brent) Becker, Bristol; Amber Whitley, Niles, Michigan; Tiffany (Lee) Geffert, Cassandra Wright, Mattie Thompson and Austin Thompson of Texas; cousin Dan (Mary Ann) Eisenbeiss; and special friends Jan and Ora Mato; Butch and Sue Seidner; and Toby and Kay Horn.  Ron's niece, Shelley, always called Ron "Supah".

Ron's many great-nieces and -nephews brought him much joy:  Chaise DiLorenzo; Jacob and Jordyn Becker; Elyse and Sydney Hickman; Dana and Griffin Alexander; Shaun, Ryan (Amy) and Alisa Murray; Miracle Whitley and Hunter Whitley, Joseph and Joshua Nicodemus; Kirah, Alayna and Makayla Geffert, and Espy Jade Wright.

Ron attended high school in Bristol, Houston and San Antonio TX, and completed his education at Brandywine High School in Niles, MI.

In 1956, Ron and Don enlisted in the United States Navy together with Carl Cramer and other friends from Bristol.  Ron and Don served from 1956-1959.  They took basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station, then boilermen school in Philadelphia.  Ron and Don served together on the U.S.S. Bearss with the rank of Boiler Tender 3rd class.  Ron's service years took him to many places around the world including Antarctica, Greece, Turkey and the Suez Canal.  In 2002, Ron and Don attended their Ship's Reunion in Pennsylvania and met up with many of the shipmates with whom they had kept in touch over the years.  Special Navy buddies from across the U.S. were Rich Peel, Bobby Gales, Dan "Brownie" Browning, and J.P. Nunley.

Ron was employed for over 20 years in the musical instrument industry, including C.G. Conn and United Musical Instruments.  At UMI, Ron hand-built custom flutes to order, including a special flute he created for James Galway, the world renowned Irish virtuoso flute player.  Mr. Galway met with Ron at the Elkhart plant to observe his flute's progress.  Ron was later employed as a laser beam and electron beam welder with Bendix/Allied Signal Corp. in South Bend, making components for jet engines, and with Bosch Corp in Stevensville MI.    Ron retired in 1998.

In 1964, Ron and Gwen moved to Baldwin Lake, Union Mi, where Ron built their home, living there for 44 years before moving to Bristol in 2008.  Ron loved piloting friends and families in his boats on Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph River.  His new neighbors on the river were Butch and Sue Seidner, and they quickly became close friends.  Ron also completed many remodeling projects for family members and friends over the years.  He was always ready to help anyone.  Ron's "go to" tiling contractor at both his homes was Jeff Henke.

Ron was a loyal Chicago Bears fan.  His VHS cassette of their 1985 Super Bowl championship win was a prized possession.

For over 25 years, Ron and Gwen vacationed on Anna Marie Island, Florida, with family and friends from across the United States, Canada and Europe. New and lasting friendships were formed there with Ernie (Pam Conkle) Watkins, Ohio; Wolfgang and Elke Henke, Krefeld, Germany; Sten and Mona Bjelke, Stockholm, Sweden; Rosa Marzaro, London, Ontario; Bev and Junior Sims, North Liberty; Ron and Lori Thomas, Argos; Jan Gladson, Minnesota; and Maureen (Bob) Bunce of Bradenton.  Back home, family get-togethers were always a fun time for Ron.   He also enjoyed Friday morning breakfasts with a group of friends at Bristol Street Café.

In the early 1970s Ron, Gwen and April each accepted Christ as their Savior and were baptized together at First Baptist Church in Union, MI.

A celebration of Ron's life will be held on Thursday, February 1, at St. John of the Cross Episcopal Church, 601 E. Vistula Street, in downtown Bristol, with the Rev. Jen Fulton officiating.  Visitation will be held for two hours immediately preceding the service from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Military honors by the U.S. Navy Funeral Honor Guard will be rendered at 4:00 p.m. with the service to follow.  Arrangements are entrusted to Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin Street, Elkhart.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to United Cancer Services of Elkhart County or to the charity of one's choice.

In accordance with Ron's wishes, he will be cremated.  An interment service will be conducted at a later date at Adamsville MI cemetery.