Ronald James Fortner

Ronald James Fortner, 85, of Tower Hill, formerly of Sullivan, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, at his home in Shelbyville, surrounded by his loved ones.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Southern Baptist Church in Sullivan, with Pastor Don Lusk officiating. The family requests casual attire. Memorials may be made to the Moultrie County Beacon.

Ronald and Donald were born November 19, 1939, to Archie and Luella (Ramseyer) Fortner of Decatur. They later moved to Kirksville where Ron graduated from Sullivan High School in the Class of 1958. He married Sondra Hunter in 1959 in Sullivan. Ron was a mechanic at a few places before going to work at Caterpillar in Decatur. They had 3 children, Jim, Lori and Debbie. They moved to Tower Hill in 1974 where they raised their family for 50 years. He was a mechanic part time, teaching his son to work on cars. Ron retired from Caterpillar after 30 years. He and Sandy worked for the Corp. of Engineers as gate attendants at campgrounds on Lake Shelbyville. He loved camping, fishing, family and mushroom hunting. They also volunteered for the disaster relief crew at their church; Sullivan Southern Baptist Church. They became winter Texans until his health stopped them from going. They traveled and enjoyed life visiting 48 of the 50 States. Ron had a great life, helped anyone and everyone loved him.

He is survived by his wife, Sandy; daughter, Lori Steers of Shelbyville, Debbie Lape and friend Kent of Pana; daughter-in-law, Haydie Fortner and friend Ryan of Tower Hill; grandchildren, Erika Oktayana and friend John of Shelbyville, Amber Erwin of Boody, Brett Smith and friend Holley of Indianapolis, IN, Sara Kirkpatrick and friend Brad of Mattoon, Sadie Fortner of Shelbyville, Braxton Lape of Mattoon, Xander Strohl of Shelbyville, and Andrea Fortner and friend Chase of Tower Hill; great-grandchildren, Reyna, Ronnie, Elliote Grace, Sawyer Ann, Evelyn, Teddy, Carson, Brantlee and Charlotte; sister, Janet Becker of Moweaqua; very special friends, Randy Smith and Jimmy Strohl.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers 1 being his twin brother, his son James Fortner, son-in-law Gene Steers and great-grandson Owen Sims.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com