Ronald Wayne Caldwell
Ronald Wayne Caldwell, 78, of Leesburg, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at the Mease Dunedin Hospital in Dunedin, Fla. where he had been a patient for several weeks.
Ron was born Feb. 16, 1948, in Hillsboro, to Robert Wayne and Grace Marie Eakins Caldwell.
He was a 1966 graduate of Washington High School and, with the exception of spending winters in Sun City Center, Fla., lived most of his life in the Leesburg community.
He was a retired farmer. Ron worked the family farm, where he not only raised crops and livestock, but also raised a great family along side of him. Whether it was baling hay, harvesting or milking cows, Ron took immense pride in everything he did.
More than anything in this world, he loved his family. He was a devoted husband who deeply loved his wife, Shirley, a proud and caring father to all four of his children, and a loving grandfather, whose grandchildren meant the world to him and brought him endless joy. Ron valued his friendships deeply and was blessed with many lifelong friends who meant so much to him. His kindness, laughter and steady presence will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Ron was a member of Leesburg Lodge 58, F&AM and attended the Leesburg Friends Church. He served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed trap shooting, lawn bowling, golfing, riding motorcycles, antique cars, boating and traveling.
He is survived by his wife, the former Shirley Ann Shoemaker, whom he married June 10, 1967; four children, Andy Caldwell and his wife, Lindsey, of Leesburg, Amy Lamb and her husband, Sean, of New Vienna, Ann Hinkle and her husband, Jason, of Hillsboro and Angy Caldwell of Leesburg; nine grandchildren, Maddie Caldwell, Miley Caldwell, Keith (Bri) Lamb, Kadyn (Kaylee) Lamb, Kiley (Brandon) Troyer, Haley Hinkle, Seth Hinkle, Ginny Trent and Jimmy Trent; six great-grandchildren, Kolton, Luke, Khloe and Koe Lamb, Benson and Beckett Troyer and Blakey Grace to arrive in June; a brother and sister-in-law, Randall and Cindy Caldwell of New Martinsburg; three sisters-in-law, Mary Belle Cockerill of New Martinsburg, Bonnie Taylor and Jamie Teeters and her husband, Jim, all of Washington Court House; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by both his parents; and parents-in-law, James and Virginia (Shoup) Shoemaker.
The funeral will be Thursday, May 7 at 11 a.m. at the Leesburg Friends Church, 149 South Street, Leesburg, with John Fitzgerald, pastor at the church, officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery.
Friends may call at the church on May 6 from 4-7 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the Leesburg Friends Church, 49 South Street, Leesburg, Ohio 45135.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House.
For more, visit www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com.