August 16, 2024
Ronald Hood Deering, MD passed away peacefully at his home in Champaign on Friday, August 16, 2024, surrounded by family and caregivers. A funeral service and celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, August 23, 2024, at the Champaign Country Club with a reception to follow. The burial will take place on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. Ron was born on May 30, 1941, at Booth Memorial Hospital in Covington, Kentucky, the second son of Edwin Naul Deering and Jane Hood Deering. He excelled academically and in sports, playing football, basketball, tennis, and baseball while attending Covington Holmes High School, where he also served as Senior Class President. Ron continued his education at Vanderbilt University before earning degrees from the University of Cincinnati and the University of Louisville Medical School. On August 14, 1964, Ron married Nancy Susan Connley, who predeceased him. He later married Lucia Lungu on March 20, 1999, who survives him. Ron is also survived by two sons, Ronald (Suzy) Deering, Jr. of Bluffton, South Carolina, and Matt (Kate) Deering of Champaign; five grandchildren, Maddison, Mitchell, Grace, Paige, and Davis; two stepchildren, Luisa (Tony) Templeton and Paul Lungu; four step-grandchildren, Olivia, Catherine, Lucia, and Charlotte; sister-in-law Ana Deering; brother-in-law James Connley; sister-in-law Margie Connley; and three nephews, Dana Deering, Mark Deering, and Clark Connley. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Jane, and his brother, John Edwin Deering. Ron served as a medical officer in the United States Navy at Naval Air Station Chase Field in Beeville, Texas, before completing his military service in the Naval Reserves. He then completed his pediatric residency in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1972, Ron began his pediatric practice at Christie Clinic, where he also served as Medical Director until 1994. He later served as the Medical Director of HSHS St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, Illinois, until his retirement in 2008. Ron was a kind and humble man with a subtle sense of humor and a love for life. He took great pleasure in attending dinners, concerts, movies and various events, as well as playing tennis and golf. He enjoyed traveling with friends and family and spent many joyful years watching his sons play sports, often reminiscing about coaching their little league teams. A lifelong learner, in retirement Ron became a Master Naturalist and attended numerous OLLI programs. He was a proud supporter of his alma maters and various charitable organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club and Cunningham Childrens Home. A devoted member and session elder of First Presbyterian Church in Champaign, Ron cherished his friends, family, and community deeply. A Graveside Committal Service will take place on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 11:30 AM at Highland Cemetery, 2167 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017. Connley Brothers Funeral Home is handling local arrangements for the family. Online condolences may be expressed on Facebook, www.connleybrothersfuneralhome.com or at www.morganmemorialhome.com. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimers Foundation of America or the Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Program.