Ronald E. Bigari

Ronald “Ron” E. Bigari, age 63, of Iron River, MI, passed away after a brief illness, surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, April 25, 2018, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital - Madison.  He was born August 8, 1954 in Stambaugh, MI, the son of Ernest and Helen (Cindrich) Bigari. He graduated from West Iron County High School in 1972, where he was known to excel in football and shot put. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University.     Ron was a partner of the family business, Bigari’s Ace Hardware, in Iron River, MI for almost 40 years.  His passion was to provide for and protect his family.  His outgoing personality and humorous spirit brought joy to all who surrounded him.  Spending quality time with his family, especially his three grandchildren, was most important to Ron.  There was nothing he loved more than spending an evening around a campfire with family and friends singing, joking, and reminiscing.  Ron loved nature and had a gift of calling birds by imitating their song.  In his earlier years, his hobbies included oil painting, gardening, wine and bread making, and raising chickens. In his later years, he enjoyed traveling, fishing, boating, bowling, and rafting in Montana. He took pleasure in singing in the St. Agnes Catholic Church choir, where he was a member. Ron is survived by his daughters, Kristina (Eric) Nelson of Greenville, WI, Kerry (Jon) Hurley of Sturgeon Bay, WI, Katie (Ben) Bluhm of Marshfield, WI, and Kim (Clint) Kavanagh of Sturgeon Bay, WI; mother, Helen Bigari; brother, Nick Bigari; sisters, Jean Lundin and Marian (Tim) Novak, all of Iron River; Terese (Dale) Collins of Las Vegas, NV, and Cathy Olson of Green Bay, WI; granddaughters, Maggie and Sadie Kavanagh and Deya Bluhm; special friend, Donna Derenzy; mother of his children, Becky Bigari; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.   He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest in 2013. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 30, 2018 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Rev. Gregory Veneklase to offer the Mass of Christian Burial.  Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Friends of Camp Batawagama at P.O. Box 482, Iron River, MI 49935. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ronald E. Bigari, please visit our flower store.