Ronald D. Ziska, 84, of Dawsonville, died Dec. 12, 2017.

Born August 18, 1933 in Belleville, Il., to the late Fred and Mulvina Ziska, Ronald was one of three boys and grew up in Signal Hill, IL. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle, best friend, artist, oil painter, trumpet player, nature lover, camper, fisherman, cook, confidant, teacher, elder, bible studier and follower of Jesus Christ. He was loved by everyone that knew him and will be truly missed by all.

Ron had a kind, gentle, fun-loving nature and never had a cross word for anyone he ever met. He was the life of the party and enjoyed talking to people. He was a true original in everything he did, he took his trumpet to baseball games, drove a VW bug with a horn under the hood that played 65 tunes (including Dixie), he loved TN Walking Horses, spending time at the beach with friends, BBQ, ANY kind of fishing, Al Jolson and Elvis Presley. He was very creative, as he was an avid oil painter and he enjoyed drawing. He loved the outdoors and walking in the woods, and he could make anything fun and interesting.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred M. and Mulvina Adele (nee Henderson) Ziska; daughter Leslie A. Ziska, brothers David Ziska and Fred Ziska Jr. (known as Charlie boy).

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Ruth M. Ziska (nee Sporleder); his children, Gay Lynn and Penny Dale Ziska; his brother David’s wife, Julie O. Ziska; and Davids’ children.

The family received friends from 12 to 1 p.m., Friday, December 15, 2017 at Lake View Funeral Home in Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m., Friday, December 15, 2017 at the funeral home.  Interment followed in Lake View Memorials Gardens, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Memorials are appreciated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Condolences may also be expressed online at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com.

Lake View Funeral Home of Fairview Heights, Il. was in charge of the arrangements.