Ronald William Gonder, age 94, of Crystal Lake, IL, passed away during the evening hours of January 27, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on October 9, 1931 in Des Moines, IA to Lois (née Longnecker) and William Gonder.

In 1949, Ron graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines. Upon graduation, he attended Coffeyville College until he was drafted into the Army in 1951. He attended Basic Training in Fort Knox, KY, where he received the Outstanding Trainee award and became a weapons and tank licensed instructor of the 70th Tank Battalion. He was stationed in Chitose Airbase in Japan, where he became the person in charge of athletics and recreation for the Army and the Air Force.

In 1954, Ron returned to the United States to finish college at Iowa Teacher’s College. He obtained his first teaching job at Melbourne High School in Melbourne, IA. In 1957, Ron took his passion for teaching and coaching to Urbandale High School in Urbandale, IA. He became an outstanding Football and Basketball coach, winning State Championships in both sports.

On December 27, 1958, Ron married Patricia Walsh in Des Moines, IA. From 1959 to 1963, Ron became a dad to four children. In 1963, he gave up his teaching career to better support his family, taking a position with Falcon-Weiser Lock Company, where he built his career for the next 30 years. He moved to Cary, IL in 1967, where he had access to international air travel for his job with Falcon-Weiser. In 1998 Ron retired from his position and worked on returning to his passion of teaching through a substitute position in Cary and Crystal Lake, IL for High School District 155. In 2015, he retired from substitute teaching.

Ron enjoyed teaching by example. He also enjoyed family trips to Disney World, Door County, WI, boating, waterskiing, fish fry nights, and most of all, spending time with his family.

Ron is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia Walsh-Gonder; children, Andria “Andi” (Kevin Salerno) Gonder, Laura “Gigi” (Mike) Gonder-Dobler, Jon (Kathy DeVine-Gonder) Gonder, and Wendi (Steve) Gonder-Mason; grandchildren, Staci Todd, Sara (Chris) Dobler-Page, Kurt (Kate) Kamin, Jacob (Britny) Kamin, Mathew (Steph) Dobler, Erik (Rachel) Gonder, Katie (Tim) Sheehan, and Cassie (Zach Cruz) Gonder; and great-grandchildren, Gabe, Graham, Everhett, Erin, Brooklyn, Stella, Emmeline, Marlowe, Zayn, and Quinn.

A memorial visitation will be held from 11:00am until funeral service at 1:00pm, Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Kahle-Moore Funeral Home, 403 Silver Lake Road, Cary, IL 60013.

Interment with military honors to follow at Windridge Memorial Park, 7014 S. Rawson Bridge Road, Cary, IL 60013.

Final arrangements entrusted to Kahle-Moore Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-639-3817.