Ronald Watkins, 71, of Kiel, passed away at his home, Thursday, August 7, 2025. He was born November 9, 1953, son of Donald and Marge (Fritz) Watkins. He was a graduate of Milledgeville High School, class of 1971. On August 21, 1976, he married the love of his life, Cathy Schryver.

Ron worked various jobs in the early 1970's, including drywalling for Gibbs Drywall and later started working at the Steel Mill in Sterling, IL. He started working at Moldmaster in Milledgeville, which would lead him to a job that would eventually move his family to Wisconsin. Ron retired from Heartland EPS in Fond du Lac in 2018.

Ron was a dedicated fireman and EMT for the Milledgeville Fire Department for many years. He loved to tell his stories of the calls they went on and the family could almost guarantee that him, his dad, and brother-in-law Dave would miss part of Christmas Eve due to a fire. He also loved various activities such as fishing, woodworking, car shows and especially riding his Harley with his wife. They would go on rides, either by themselves or with small groups, that would last for hours not knowing where their destination would be.

He is survived by his wife of almost 49 years, Cathy, his son Eric (Samantha) Watkins of Serena, IL and their kids Ian and Allison, his daughter Leslie (Ty) Stuckmann, Saint Cloud, WI and their son Brody, grandson Conner Woelfel of New Holstein, WI, his sister Chris (Dave) Folk of Polo, IL, brother-in-law Wayne (Karen) Schryver of Milledgeville, IL, sister-in-law Ann Totenhagen of Rockford, IL, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was proceeded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Margaret Schryver, brother-in-law Jim Totenhagen, and sister-in-law Donna Pritchard.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 15, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. at Meiselwitz-Vollstedt-DeTroye Funeral Home (815 6th Street, Kiel). Visitation will be held on Friday, at the funeral home, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:15 p.m.

The family would like to extend a big thank you to the Kiel Police Department and Kiel Fire and Ambulance. They showed the family nothing but compassion and caring during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Kiel Fire Department and Kiel Police Department.