Ronald Lamont May, 81, of Wilmington, died on Jan. 27, 2024, at StoryPoint Senior Living in Romeoville.
Cremation rites have been accorded. The family received friends for a memorial visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home Wilmington on Thursday, Feb. 1, and funeral service began at 1 p.m. Inurnment immediately followed in Oakwood Cemetery in Wilmington.
Mr. May was born Feb. 22, 1942, in Chicago to Lester and Florida (Noe) May. He gained his primary education in Coffeen and went on to graduate from Hillsboro High School. On June 10, 1961, Mr. May married Janet Kay Headley in Vernon, and together they relocated to make their home in South Wilmington for four years before settling in Wilmington, where they spent the following 52 years.
Mr. May had a fulfilling career which began at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant before he joined Mobil. He dedicated 30 years of service to Mobil/BASF before retiring. Mr. May was a member of the Wilmington Moose Lodge #241 and the Ponderosa Area Club. He was also a proud member of the Wilmington Lodge #208 A.F. & A.M.
Mr. May's true passion lied in the great outdoors. Fishing, hunting, boating and the search for morel mushrooms were activities he relished. His English Setter hunting dogs held a special place in his heart, even those that were not the best hunters. A St. Louis Cardinals fan by birth, he eventually converted to support the Chicago Cubs. Additionally, he played pool on leagues and had an affection for collecting, with garage sales being irresistible to him. Just taking leisurely drives around town to observe what was happening gave him contentment.
He will be remembered as a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather and cherished friend to many. His kindness was genuine and his disposition always pleasant, qualities that earned him loyalty from all who knew him.
Mr. May is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Janet; daughter, Carla (Glen) Hawks of Tega Cay, SC, and son, Kerry (Kathleen) May of Plainfield; six grandchildren, Lucas (Lara) Hawks, Alison (Ricardo) Alvarado, Jessica (Trevor) Marshall, Travis Hawks, Kaitlin May and Jacob May; five great-grandchildren, Grayson, Hayden, Leah, Carter and Jace; one sister, Deanna (the late Kenneth) Traylor of Hillsboro; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilyn (the late David) Scott of Corinth, MS, Diana (the late Gary ) Foltz of Patoka and Sena (Harry) Landreth of Vernon; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mr. May was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Merle and Frances Headley; and brother-in-law, Dale Headley.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts to the Alzheimer's Association for Alzheimer's and Dementia Research (www.alz.org) or to Lightways Hospice and Serious Illiness Care (www.Lightways.org)
Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Mr. May's memorial page online through social media.
