Ronald Wilbur (Ronnie) Keiser, age 64, passed away at his home in Carrabelle on June 5, 2010, following a courageous battle with cancer. His loving wife, Gael Wright Keiser, and his sister Shirley Keiser Ropp were at his side.
He was born February 6, 1946 in Chester, Pennsylvania. After graduating from High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in Viet Nam from 1965 to 1971, working as a power plant mechanic on A-6A Intruder aircraft for attack squadrons. After honorable discharge, he moved to Broward County, where he was employed by McArthur Dairy as a diesel and transport temperature control systems mechanic. After that, he attended Lake City Community College where he earned certification as a Florida State Correctional Officer, a career he pursued until retirement.
Ronnie and Gael met and married in Pompano Beach in 1986. They later moved to Hawthorne, where they raised miniature horses. After that, they relocated to Carrabelle, where Ronnie served as Sergeant in Region I of the Florida Department of Corrections.
Ronnie was longstanding member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Florida Police Benevolent Association. He enjoyed the outdoors, boating, fishing, and bringing out laughter in people. He was a master mechanic and loved tinkering in his shop and helping folks repair their mechanical implements. He was a member of the United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur Amos (Bud) Keiser. Survivors include his wife of twenty-four years, Gael Wright Keiser; mother Anna Keiser of Coconut Creek; sister Shirley Keiser Ropp and brother-in-law Tim Ropp of Pensacola; brother Richard Keiser and sister-in-law Helen of Coral Springs; step-son Steve Wright and daughter-in-law Debbie of Tallahassee; and step-son Michael Kelly Maskevich and daughter-in-law Elaine of Tallahassee. He is additionally survived by six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and countless friends, including his faithful dog Pogo.
A Memorial service was held for Ronnie at the Carrabelle United Methodist Church on June 19, 2010. Pastor Julie Stephens officiated, along with Rev. Bill Field (Ronnie's uncle), a retired United Methodist clergyman, and Rev. Mark Mercer, a personal friend and Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Carrabelle. The Wakulla Correctional Institution Honor Guard performed a salute detail. Granddaughters Summer Maskevich and Audrey Wright composed and sang a song for their "Grandpa."
Following the memorial service, the United States Navy Honor Guard performed the folding of the flag presentation and playing of taps ceremony at the American Legion Post 82 in Lanark. The Ladies Auxiliary Post 82 served lunch for family and friends.
Gael and the family would like to convey special thanks to Tonya's Hope; Big Bend Hospice; Pastor Julie Stephens of Carrabelle United Methodist Church; the United States Navy; American Legion Post 82 and Ladies Auxiliary, Lanark; Warden Duffy Harrison of Franklin Correctional Institute, Carrabelle; Wakulla Correctional Institute Honor Guard, Crawfordville; Ronnie's co-workers at Franklin Correctional Institution who sustained and nurtured him throughout his illness; and Ronnie's daughter-in-law, Debbie Wright for her tireless devotion and care during his illness.
Celebtration of life
Sergeant Ron Keiser
At 10:55 Just before the family enters; "Amazing Grace"
Read of the Obituary: Julie
Family remembrance: Rev. Bill Field
Ronnie was born Feb. 6, 1946 and he cried for 13 months, I have been down that road. Yon lay on the floor with the baby on your stomach and the days turn into nights and the nights into days and wonder when is this going to be over, This just wasn't the way it was supposed to be. Anyway, we think we have all the answers and sometimes it backfires on us.
Ronnie loved animals and in second grade the school was having a dog show and of course Ronnie thought his dog was better than the other dogs so he asked mon if he could enter the show. I don't have to tell you her answer, well I will anyway, I'm not sure if she told him this , but his dog was a mutt with no special talents. Mon says absolutely you can not show it. He had no collar, no leash, it didn't even have a bath. The day of the dog show Ann attended the show and here comes Ronnie with dog, a clothes line for leash and collar and paraded that dog like it was a champion. You guessed it he won frist prize for the best behaved dog.
Our Mon bought him a set of plastic tools for christmas. He was facinated with the screw driver and he would take the screw out of the door knobs so when you opened the door the handle would come off, open a window the and that handle would come off, can you picture this little guy. That was probably the beginning of his trade.
Ronnie went four years in votec training to be an auto mechanic. and when he graduated he was hired by the Chrysler Corp. probably a career Opportunity, instead he joined the Navy, took his boot camp in Great Lakes and was assigned to the Air craft Carrier Independence and served most of his time off the coast of Vietnam.
Ronnie is Amanda's Godfather, from the time she was a little girl she used to go visit Ronnie and Gail with Mon. When the girls were younger, Ronnie came to live with us for about a year. Rick and Ronnie worked together at Rick's shop. Ronnie's specialty was replacing truck clutches. Ronnie and rick took our rottweiler, Ralphie to the shop everyday, Ronnie got a kick out of Ralppie going around to the warehouses and stealing lunches. Sometimes he would come back dragging a shoe, a broom,whatever he could pick up in his mouth. Ronnie sometimes had a bit of a temper and some of the guys were intimidated by him. When they would come home aafter work every night. we had family dinner alot of good laughs. He loved to spend time with our girls. one night, they wanted to give him a special hair do, so they sat him down on the sofa and both Amanda and Krista put about 20 barrettes in his hair and made him look so pretty!!! In the pool, he used to pull the girls around by their long hair, and they always went back for more. He loved to scare Krista by pulling out his teeth and try to hand them to her. She was about 3 years old. His favorite candy was black jelly beans, enjoyed. a cold beer and loved to go fishing with his buddies. When we found out that Ronnie had cancer. the family was very sad and scared for what he was going to have to face. We knew Ronnie was a fighter and had a strong will to live. We had some really good heart to heart talks when we went on our trips to visit Ronnie, we partied, grilled, went for golf cart rides, danced in the backyard, we had alot of fun times together. Ronnie loved his wife, Gail and would praise how lucky he was to have her. We are so very thankful for Debbie who took such wonderful care of Ronnie throughout all of his treatments with so much love and Compassion. Ronnie adored his grandchildren and would light up when ever he talked about them. When we talk, he would brag how he had the best nurses taking care of him. Gail by his side at home
and Debbie and family when he stayed with them. He really enjoyed spending quality time with his family. Ronnie loved to fish. his last vist in March, Rick took Ronnie fishing and they caught four nice King fish. We all loved Ronnie and he will be remembered as the best Son, Husband, Brother, father, godfather, grandpa, uncle, and friend. I think Ronnie is watching over us and would like all of us to be at peace with all our special Ronald Wilbur (Ronnie) Keiser
The Early years Pastor Julie
When Gail and Ron met, he was working as a diesal mechanic for farm equipment and a technician for Thermal King Refrigeration at McCarther Dairy in Sunrise near Pompano. Gail was a Landscaper for the Brevard Community College in Coconut Creek.
They met and dated, and one day just decided to marry. Ron in his work uniform and Gail in her jeans and green landscaping shirt were married by J.P., a judge and good friend.
They moved to Hawthorne, which is located outside Gainesville, and lived on a small farm where they raised miniature horses and goats. Gail told me of the time on their farm when the days were so hot that she wished they had a pool. Ron pick up a couple of fiberglass tubs, about the size of water trouths, and put them side by side and filled them with water, He climbed in one and Gail climbed in the other, each resting their arms on the sides and enjoying the cool water. Gail called that her redneck Swimming Pool!
One day Gail saw an ad in the paper for a Corrections Officer at Starke and suggested that Ron apply. The rest, as they say, is history. Later Gail also trained and Became an officer.
Ron also worked at the Broward Prison for women, the Marion County Prison for women, Lawdie Prison, and Finally at Franklin C.I.
Ron was a Mechanical Genius. He could fix anything, and sometimes he was very creative, Gail told me about the time their grill rusted out, so Ron took an old push mower and removed the motor and cutting blades and turned the base over. Then he took the metal frames of a couple of real estate signs and a discarded metal rack from and old stove and made a new grill! Gail called it their redneck grill!
Mike shared an incident that occurred when Ron was a dog trainer with the prison. He said that on one particular day he was working on a construction site with some of his crew when Ron pulled up with his hounds. He had been out training the dogs and stopped by to say hello. The crew however, not knowing the officer was Mike's step father, thought someone was in serious trouble!!!
Steve, who is the younger brother, moved in with Ron and Gail for a season. That's when he met Debbie. After they wed. they lived for a short time with Ron and Gail.
It was a special time of bonding for them.
Ron was a very colorful character. He loved to sit in the back yard and tinker with lawn movers and drink refreshments with his friends. He had a devilish sense of humor and often went for the shock value. You never knew what he was going to say. He loved to say, "Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone."
He was also very strict as an officer, and took his work very seriously, but the inmates respected him. Ron had a tremendous work ethic. He was committed to his job, and it didn't matter how sick he might have felt, he would not miss any work.(Warden Dufft, Officers)
Gail told me about a time when Greg Daniels was training the dogs, and one of the pups lost the sent when it was distracted by a six pack of refreshment that had been discarded on the side of the road. They named the pup "Keiser."
Debbie often took Ron to his Chemo treatments and they spent their time making jokes and cracking up the other in the office.
One day Summer and Audrey wrote a song about tgheir grandfather and sang it for him. A couple of weeks ago, when Debbie brought the children out to see Ron, Audrey climbed up into his hospital bed and kissed him. She told him she liked the new bed. Although Ron was weak and could barely speak, his eyes began to twinkle, and he pushed the button to make the bed go up and down as Audrey squealed in delight.
I met brother Ron the day before he passed from this world. I asked him if he was born again, if he had accepted Jesus as his Savior, and he nodded hids head yes. I also asked him if he had worked through any forgivness issues, and again he said yes. Ron had a year to prepare He spent time with Pastor Mark... He was ready.
All of us will pass from this world one day, and we may not have the opportunity Ron had to prepare. Heaven and Hell are real places, and eternity is a long time, We will not live forever in our bodies, but our Spirits will live forever.
When that day comes, we are not going to enter heaven on our good looks, Our good works, or our good parents. Father God sent His Son to die on the cross and pay the price for our sin. The only way we can go to heaven is to accept the free gift of Salvation. We have to confess our sins and repent, change our behavior, ask for forgiveness, and invite Jesus to be the lord of our life. There is no other way we can get to heaven. Jesus is the only way.
The sky is blue,
I miss you,
I can't live without you,
My heart is brocken,
You make everything happen,
Your the best grandpa i've ever had,
And now,
I miss,
you,
But your in a better place now
I miss,
Written and Sang by: Summer Maskevich and Audrey Wright
Song: "In the Garden
Backyard conversations:Reverend Mark Mercer
Guests invited to share thoughts
Scripture reading: Pastor Julie
Color Guard
Closing Song, "Swing low, Sweet Chariot:
Carrabelle United Methodist Church
102 NE. Avenue B
Carrabelle, Fl, 32322
Pastor Julie Stephens
PH 850-697-3672
Service June 19 at 11AM
He was born February 6, 1946 in Chester, Pennsylvania. After graduating from High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in Viet Nam from 1965 to 1971, working as a power plant mechanic on A-6A Intruder aircraft for attack squadrons. After honorable discharge, he moved to Broward County, where he was employed by McArthur Dairy as a diesel and transport temperature control systems mechanic. After that, he attended Lake City Community College where he earned certification as a Florida State Correctional Officer, a career he pursued until retirement.
Ronnie and Gael met and married in Pompano Beach in 1986. They later moved to Hawthorne, where they raised miniature horses. After that, they relocated to Carrabelle, where Ronnie served as Sergeant in Region I of the Florida Department of Corrections.
Ronnie was longstanding member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Florida Police Benevolent Association. He enjoyed the outdoors, boating, fishing, and bringing out laughter in people. He was a master mechanic and loved tinkering in his shop and helping folks repair their mechanical implements. He was a member of the United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur Amos (Bud) Keiser. Survivors include his wife of twenty-four years, Gael Wright Keiser; mother Anna Keiser of Coconut Creek; sister Shirley Keiser Ropp and brother-in-law Tim Ropp of Pensacola; brother Richard Keiser and sister-in-law Helen of Coral Springs; step-son Steve Wright and daughter-in-law Debbie of Tallahassee; and step-son Michael Kelly Maskevich and daughter-in-law Elaine of Tallahassee. He is additionally survived by six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and countless friends, including his faithful dog Pogo.
A Memorial service was held for Ronnie at the Carrabelle United Methodist Church on June 19, 2010. Pastor Julie Stephens officiated, along with Rev. Bill Field (Ronnie's uncle), a retired United Methodist clergyman, and Rev. Mark Mercer, a personal friend and Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Carrabelle. The Wakulla Correctional Institution Honor Guard performed a salute detail. Granddaughters Summer Maskevich and Audrey Wright composed and sang a song for their "Grandpa."
Following the memorial service, the United States Navy Honor Guard performed the folding of the flag presentation and playing of taps ceremony at the American Legion Post 82 in Lanark. The Ladies Auxiliary Post 82 served lunch for family and friends.
Gael and the family would like to convey special thanks to Tonya's Hope; Big Bend Hospice; Pastor Julie Stephens of Carrabelle United Methodist Church; the United States Navy; American Legion Post 82 and Ladies Auxiliary, Lanark; Warden Duffy Harrison of Franklin Correctional Institute, Carrabelle; Wakulla Correctional Institute Honor Guard, Crawfordville; Ronnie's co-workers at Franklin Correctional Institution who sustained and nurtured him throughout his illness; and Ronnie's daughter-in-law, Debbie Wright for her tireless devotion and care during his illness.
Celebtration of life
Sergeant Ron Keiser
At 10:55 Just before the family enters; "Amazing Grace"
Read of the Obituary: Julie
Family remembrance: Rev. Bill Field
Ronnie was born Feb. 6, 1946 and he cried for 13 months, I have been down that road. Yon lay on the floor with the baby on your stomach and the days turn into nights and the nights into days and wonder when is this going to be over, This just wasn't the way it was supposed to be. Anyway, we think we have all the answers and sometimes it backfires on us.
Ronnie loved animals and in second grade the school was having a dog show and of course Ronnie thought his dog was better than the other dogs so he asked mon if he could enter the show. I don't have to tell you her answer, well I will anyway, I'm not sure if she told him this , but his dog was a mutt with no special talents. Mon says absolutely you can not show it. He had no collar, no leash, it didn't even have a bath. The day of the dog show Ann attended the show and here comes Ronnie with dog, a clothes line for leash and collar and paraded that dog like it was a champion. You guessed it he won frist prize for the best behaved dog.
Our Mon bought him a set of plastic tools for christmas. He was facinated with the screw driver and he would take the screw out of the door knobs so when you opened the door the handle would come off, open a window the and that handle would come off, can you picture this little guy. That was probably the beginning of his trade.
Ronnie went four years in votec training to be an auto mechanic. and when he graduated he was hired by the Chrysler Corp. probably a career Opportunity, instead he joined the Navy, took his boot camp in Great Lakes and was assigned to the Air craft Carrier Independence and served most of his time off the coast of Vietnam.
Ronnie is Amanda's Godfather, from the time she was a little girl she used to go visit Ronnie and Gail with Mon. When the girls were younger, Ronnie came to live with us for about a year. Rick and Ronnie worked together at Rick's shop. Ronnie's specialty was replacing truck clutches. Ronnie and rick took our rottweiler, Ralphie to the shop everyday, Ronnie got a kick out of Ralppie going around to the warehouses and stealing lunches. Sometimes he would come back dragging a shoe, a broom,whatever he could pick up in his mouth. Ronnie sometimes had a bit of a temper and some of the guys were intimidated by him. When they would come home aafter work every night. we had family dinner alot of good laughs. He loved to spend time with our girls. one night, they wanted to give him a special hair do, so they sat him down on the sofa and both Amanda and Krista put about 20 barrettes in his hair and made him look so pretty!!! In the pool, he used to pull the girls around by their long hair, and they always went back for more. He loved to scare Krista by pulling out his teeth and try to hand them to her. She was about 3 years old. His favorite candy was black jelly beans, enjoyed. a cold beer and loved to go fishing with his buddies. When we found out that Ronnie had cancer. the family was very sad and scared for what he was going to have to face. We knew Ronnie was a fighter and had a strong will to live. We had some really good heart to heart talks when we went on our trips to visit Ronnie, we partied, grilled, went for golf cart rides, danced in the backyard, we had alot of fun times together. Ronnie loved his wife, Gail and would praise how lucky he was to have her. We are so very thankful for Debbie who took such wonderful care of Ronnie throughout all of his treatments with so much love and Compassion. Ronnie adored his grandchildren and would light up when ever he talked about them. When we talk, he would brag how he had the best nurses taking care of him. Gail by his side at home
and Debbie and family when he stayed with them. He really enjoyed spending quality time with his family. Ronnie loved to fish. his last vist in March, Rick took Ronnie fishing and they caught four nice King fish. We all loved Ronnie and he will be remembered as the best Son, Husband, Brother, father, godfather, grandpa, uncle, and friend. I think Ronnie is watching over us and would like all of us to be at peace with all our special Ronald Wilbur (Ronnie) Keiser
The Early years Pastor Julie
When Gail and Ron met, he was working as a diesal mechanic for farm equipment and a technician for Thermal King Refrigeration at McCarther Dairy in Sunrise near Pompano. Gail was a Landscaper for the Brevard Community College in Coconut Creek.
They met and dated, and one day just decided to marry. Ron in his work uniform and Gail in her jeans and green landscaping shirt were married by J.P., a judge and good friend.
They moved to Hawthorne, which is located outside Gainesville, and lived on a small farm where they raised miniature horses and goats. Gail told me of the time on their farm when the days were so hot that she wished they had a pool. Ron pick up a couple of fiberglass tubs, about the size of water trouths, and put them side by side and filled them with water, He climbed in one and Gail climbed in the other, each resting their arms on the sides and enjoying the cool water. Gail called that her redneck Swimming Pool!
One day Gail saw an ad in the paper for a Corrections Officer at Starke and suggested that Ron apply. The rest, as they say, is history. Later Gail also trained and Became an officer.
Ron also worked at the Broward Prison for women, the Marion County Prison for women, Lawdie Prison, and Finally at Franklin C.I.
Ron was a Mechanical Genius. He could fix anything, and sometimes he was very creative, Gail told me about the time their grill rusted out, so Ron took an old push mower and removed the motor and cutting blades and turned the base over. Then he took the metal frames of a couple of real estate signs and a discarded metal rack from and old stove and made a new grill! Gail called it their redneck grill!
Mike shared an incident that occurred when Ron was a dog trainer with the prison. He said that on one particular day he was working on a construction site with some of his crew when Ron pulled up with his hounds. He had been out training the dogs and stopped by to say hello. The crew however, not knowing the officer was Mike's step father, thought someone was in serious trouble!!!
Steve, who is the younger brother, moved in with Ron and Gail for a season. That's when he met Debbie. After they wed. they lived for a short time with Ron and Gail.
It was a special time of bonding for them.
Ron was a very colorful character. He loved to sit in the back yard and tinker with lawn movers and drink refreshments with his friends. He had a devilish sense of humor and often went for the shock value. You never knew what he was going to say. He loved to say, "Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone."
He was also very strict as an officer, and took his work very seriously, but the inmates respected him. Ron had a tremendous work ethic. He was committed to his job, and it didn't matter how sick he might have felt, he would not miss any work.(Warden Dufft, Officers)
Gail told me about a time when Greg Daniels was training the dogs, and one of the pups lost the sent when it was distracted by a six pack of refreshment that had been discarded on the side of the road. They named the pup "Keiser."
Debbie often took Ron to his Chemo treatments and they spent their time making jokes and cracking up the other in the office.
One day Summer and Audrey wrote a song about tgheir grandfather and sang it for him. A couple of weeks ago, when Debbie brought the children out to see Ron, Audrey climbed up into his hospital bed and kissed him. She told him she liked the new bed. Although Ron was weak and could barely speak, his eyes began to twinkle, and he pushed the button to make the bed go up and down as Audrey squealed in delight.
I met brother Ron the day before he passed from this world. I asked him if he was born again, if he had accepted Jesus as his Savior, and he nodded hids head yes. I also asked him if he had worked through any forgivness issues, and again he said yes. Ron had a year to prepare He spent time with Pastor Mark... He was ready.
All of us will pass from this world one day, and we may not have the opportunity Ron had to prepare. Heaven and Hell are real places, and eternity is a long time, We will not live forever in our bodies, but our Spirits will live forever.
When that day comes, we are not going to enter heaven on our good looks, Our good works, or our good parents. Father God sent His Son to die on the cross and pay the price for our sin. The only way we can go to heaven is to accept the free gift of Salvation. We have to confess our sins and repent, change our behavior, ask for forgiveness, and invite Jesus to be the lord of our life. There is no other way we can get to heaven. Jesus is the only way.
The sky is blue,
I miss you,
I can't live without you,
My heart is brocken,
You make everything happen,
Your the best grandpa i've ever had,
And now,
I miss,
you,
But your in a better place now
I miss,
Written and Sang by: Summer Maskevich and Audrey Wright
Song: "In the Garden
Backyard conversations:Reverend Mark Mercer
Guests invited to share thoughts
Scripture reading: Pastor Julie
Color Guard
Closing Song, "Swing low, Sweet Chariot:
Carrabelle United Methodist Church
102 NE. Avenue B
Carrabelle, Fl, 32322
Pastor Julie Stephens
PH 850-697-3672
Service June 19 at 11AM
Ronald Wilbur (Ronnie) Keiser, age 64, passed away at his home in Carrabelle on June 5, 2010, following a courageous battle with cancer. His loving wife, Gael Wright Keiser, and his sister Shirley Keiser Ropp were at his side.
He was born February 6, 1946 in Chester, Pennsylvania. After graduating from High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in Viet Nam from 1965 to 1971, working as a power plant mechanic on A-6A Intruder aircraft for attack squadrons. After honorable discharge, he moved to Broward County, where he was employed by McArthur Dairy as a diesel and transport temperature control systems mechanic. After that, he attended Lake City Community College where he earned certification as a Florida State Correctional Officer, a career he pursued until retirement.
Ronnie and Gael met and married in Pompano Beach in 1986. They later moved to Hawthorne, where they raised miniature horses. After that, they relocated to Carrabelle, where Ronnie served as Sergeant in Region I of the Florida Department of Corrections.
Ronnie was longstanding member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Florida Police Benevolent Association. He enjoyed the outdoors, boating, fishing, and bringing out laughter in people. He was a master mechanic and loved tinkering in his shop and helping folks repair their mechanical implements. He was a member of the United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur Amos (Bud) Keiser. Survivors include his wife of twenty-four years, Gael Wright Keiser; mother Anna Keiser of Coconut Creek; sister Shirley Keiser Ropp and brother-in-law Tim Ropp of Pensacola; brother Richard Keiser and sister-in-law Helen of Coral Springs; step-son Steve Wright and daughter-in-law Debbie of Tallahassee; and step-son Michael Kelly Maskevich and daughter-in-law Elaine of Tallahassee. He is additionally survived by six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and countless friends, including his faithful dog Pogo.
A Memorial service was held for Ronnie at the Carrabelle United Methodist Church on June 19, 2010. Pastor Julie Stephens officiated, along with Rev. Bill Field (Ronnie's uncle), a retired United Methodist clergyman, and Rev. Mark Mercer, a personal friend and Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Carrabelle. The Wakulla Correctional Institution Honor Guard performed a salute detail. Granddaughters Summer Maskevich and Audrey Wright composed and sang a song for their "Grandpa."
Following the memorial service, the United States Navy Honor Guard performed the folding of the flag presentation and playing of taps ceremony at the American Legion Post 82 in Lanark. The Ladies Auxiliary Post 82 served lunch for family and friends.
Gael and the family would like to convey special thanks to Tonya's Hope; Big Bend Hospice; Pastor Julie Stephens of Carrabelle United Methodist Church; the United States Navy; American Legion Post 82 and Ladies Auxiliary, Lanark; Warden Duffy Harrison of Franklin Correctional Institute, Carrabelle; Wakulla Correctional Institute Honor Guard, Crawfordville; Ronnie's co-workers at Franklin Correctional Institution who sustained and nurtured him throughout his illness; and Ronnie's daughter-in-law, Debbie Wright for her tireless devotion and care during his illness.
Celebtration of life
Sergeant Ron Keiser
At 10:55 Just before the family enters; "Amazing Grace"
Read of the Obituary: Julie
Family remembrance: Rev. Bill Field
Ronnie was born Feb. 6, 1946 and he cried for 13 months, I have been down that road. Yon lay on the floor with the baby on your stomach and the days turn into nights and the nights into days and wonder when is this going to be over, This just wasn't the way it was supposed to be. Anyway, we think we have all the answers and sometimes it backfires on us.
Ronnie loved animals and in second grade the school was having a dog show and of course Ronnie thought his dog was better than the other dogs so he asked mon if he could enter the show. I don't have to tell you her answer, well I will anyway, I'm not sure if she told him this , but his dog was a mutt with no special talents. Mon says absolutely you can not show it. He had no collar, no leash, it didn't even have a bath. The day of the dog show Ann attended the show and here comes Ronnie with dog, a clothes line for leash and collar and paraded that dog like it was a champion. You guessed it he won frist prize for the best behaved dog.
Our Mon bought him a set of plastic tools for christmas. He was facinated with the screw driver and he would take the screw out of the door knobs so when you opened the door the handle would come off, open a window the and that handle would come off, can you picture this little guy. That was probably the beginning of his trade.
Ronnie went four years in votec training to be an auto mechanic. and when he graduated he was hired by the Chrysler Corp. probably a career Opportunity, instead he joined the Navy, took his boot camp in Great Lakes and was assigned to the Air craft Carrier Independence and served most of his time off the coast of Vietnam.
Ronnie is Amanda's Godfather, from the time she was a little girl she used to go visit Ronnie and Gail with Mon. When the girls were younger, Ronnie came to live with us for about a year. Rick and Ronnie worked together at Rick's shop. Ronnie's specialty was replacing truck clutches. Ronnie and rick took our rottweiler, Ralphie to the shop everyday, Ronnie got a kick out of Ralppie going around to the warehouses and stealing lunches. Sometimes he would come back dragging a shoe, a broom,whatever he could pick up in his mouth. Ronnie sometimes had a bit of a temper and some of the guys were intimidated by him. When they would come home aafter work every night. we had family dinner alot of good laughs. He loved to spend time with our girls. one night, they wanted to give him a special hair do, so they sat him down on the sofa and both Amanda and Krista put about 20 barrettes in his hair and made him look so pretty!!! In the pool, he used to pull the girls around by their long hair, and they always went back for more. He loved to scare Krista by pulling out his teeth and try to hand them to her. She was about 3 years old. His favorite candy was black jelly beans, enjoyed. a cold beer and loved to go fishing with his buddies. When we found out that Ronnie had cancer. the family was very sad and scared for what he was going to have to face. We knew Ronnie was a fighter and had a strong will to live. We had some really good heart to heart talks when we went on our trips to visit Ronnie, we partied, grilled, went for golf cart rides, danced in the backyard, we had alot of fun times together. Ronnie loved his wife, Gail and would praise how lucky he was to have her. We are so very thankful for Debbie who took such wonderful care of Ronnie throughout all of his treatments with so much love and Compassion. Ronnie adored his grandchildren and would light up when ever he talked about them. When we talk, he would brag how he had the best nurses taking care of him. Gail by his side at home
and Debbie and family when he stayed with them. He really enjoyed spending quality time with his family. Ronnie loved to fish. his last vist in March, Rick took Ronnie fishing and they caught four nice King fish. We all loved Ronnie and he will be remembered as the best Son, Husband, Brother, father, godfather, grandpa, uncle, and friend. I think Ronnie is watching over us and would like all of us to be at peace with all our special Ronald Wilbur (Ronnie) Keiser
The Early years Pastor Julie
When Gail and Ron met, he was working as a diesal mechanic for farm equipment and a technician for Thermal King Refrigeration at McCarther Dairy in Sunrise near Pompano. Gail was a Landscaper for the Brevard Community College in Coconut Creek.
They met and dated, and one day just decided to marry. Ron in his work uniform and Gail in her jeans and green landscaping shirt were married by J.P., a judge and good friend.
They moved to Hawthorne, which is located outside Gainesville, and lived on a small farm where they raised miniature horses and goats. Gail told me of the time on their farm when the days were so hot that she wished they had a pool. Ron pick up a couple of fiberglass tubs, about the size of water trouths, and put them side by side and filled them with water, He climbed in one and Gail climbed in the other, each resting their arms on the sides and enjoying the cool water. Gail called that her redneck Swimming Pool!
One day Gail saw an ad in the paper for a Corrections Officer at Starke and suggested that Ron apply. The rest, as they say, is history. Later Gail also trained and Became an officer.
Ron also worked at the Broward Prison for women, the Marion County Prison for women, Lawdie Prison, and Finally at Franklin C.I.
Ron was a Mechanical Genius. He could fix anything, and sometimes he was very creative, Gail told me about the time their grill rusted out, so Ron took an old push mower and removed the motor and cutting blades and turned the base over. Then he took the metal frames of a couple of real estate signs and a discarded metal rack from and old stove and made a new grill! Gail called it their redneck grill!
Mike shared an incident that occurred when Ron was a dog trainer with the prison. He said that on one particular day he was working on a construction site with some of his crew when Ron pulled up with his hounds. He had been out training the dogs and stopped by to say hello. The crew however, not knowing the officer was Mike's step father, thought someone was in serious trouble!!!
Steve, who is the younger brother, moved in with Ron and Gail for a season. That's when he met Debbie. After they wed. they lived for a short time with Ron and Gail.
It was a special time of bonding for them.
Ron was a very colorful character. He loved to sit in the back yard and tinker with lawn movers and drink refreshments with his friends. He had a devilish sense of humor and often went for the shock value. You never knew what he was going to say. He loved to say, "Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone."
He was also very strict as an officer, and took his work very seriously, but the inmates respected him. Ron had a tremendous work ethic. He was committed to his job, and it didn't matter how sick he might have felt, he would not miss any work.(Warden Dufft, Officers)
Gail told me about a time when Greg Daniels was training the dogs, and one of the pups lost the sent when it was distracted by a six pack of refreshment that had been discarded on the side of the road. They named the pup "Keiser."
Debbie often took Ron to his Chemo treatments and they spent their time making jokes and cracking up the other in the office.
One day Summer and Audrey wrote a song about tgheir grandfather and sang it for him. A couple of weeks ago, when Debbie brought the children out to see Ron, Audrey climbed up into his hospital bed and kissed him. She told him she liked the new bed. Although Ron was weak and could barely speak, his eyes began to twinkle, and he pushed the button to make the bed go up and down as Audrey squealed in delight.
I met brother Ron the day before he passed from this world. I asked him if he was born again, if he had accepted Jesus as his Savior, and he nodded hids head yes. I also asked him if he had worked through any forgivness issues, and again he said yes. Ron had a year to prepare He spent time with Pastor Mark... He was ready.
All of us will pass from this world one day, and we may not have the opportunity Ron had to prepare. Heaven and Hell are real places, and eternity is a long time, We will not live forever in our bodies, but our Spirits will live forever.
When that day comes, we are not going to enter heaven on our good looks, Our good works, or our good parents. Father God sent His Son to die on the cross and pay the price for our sin. The only way we can go to heaven is to accept the free gift of Salvation. We have to confess our sins and repent, change our behavior, ask for forgiveness, and invite Jesus to be the lord of our life. There is no other way we can get to heaven. Jesus is the only way.
The sky is blue,
I miss you,
I can't live without you,
My heart is brocken,
You make everything happen,
Your the best grandpa i've ever had,
And now,
I miss,
you,
But your in a better place now
I miss,
Written and Sang by: Summer Maskevich and Audrey Wright
Song: "In the Garden
Backyard conversations:Reverend Mark Mercer
Guests invited to share thoughts
Scripture reading: Pastor Julie
Color Guard
Closing Song, "Swing low, Sweet Chariot:
Carrabelle United Methodist Church
102 NE. Avenue B
Carrabelle, Fl, 32322
Pastor Julie Stephens
PH 850-697-3672
Service June 19 at 11AM
He was born February 6, 1946 in Chester, Pennsylvania. After graduating from High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in Viet Nam from 1965 to 1971, working as a power plant mechanic on A-6A Intruder aircraft for attack squadrons. After honorable discharge, he moved to Broward County, where he was employed by McArthur Dairy as a diesel and transport temperature control systems mechanic. After that, he attended Lake City Community College where he earned certification as a Florida State Correctional Officer, a career he pursued until retirement.
Ronnie and Gael met and married in Pompano Beach in 1986. They later moved to Hawthorne, where they raised miniature horses. After that, they relocated to Carrabelle, where Ronnie served as Sergeant in Region I of the Florida Department of Corrections.
Ronnie was longstanding member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Florida Police Benevolent Association. He enjoyed the outdoors, boating, fishing, and bringing out laughter in people. He was a master mechanic and loved tinkering in his shop and helping folks repair their mechanical implements. He was a member of the United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur Amos (Bud) Keiser. Survivors include his wife of twenty-four years, Gael Wright Keiser; mother Anna Keiser of Coconut Creek; sister Shirley Keiser Ropp and brother-in-law Tim Ropp of Pensacola; brother Richard Keiser and sister-in-law Helen of Coral Springs; step-son Steve Wright and daughter-in-law Debbie of Tallahassee; and step-son Michael Kelly Maskevich and daughter-in-law Elaine of Tallahassee. He is additionally survived by six grandchildren, one great-grandchild, several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and countless friends, including his faithful dog Pogo.
A Memorial service was held for Ronnie at the Carrabelle United Methodist Church on June 19, 2010. Pastor Julie Stephens officiated, along with Rev. Bill Field (Ronnie's uncle), a retired United Methodist clergyman, and Rev. Mark Mercer, a personal friend and Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Carrabelle. The Wakulla Correctional Institution Honor Guard performed a salute detail. Granddaughters Summer Maskevich and Audrey Wright composed and sang a song for their "Grandpa."
Following the memorial service, the United States Navy Honor Guard performed the folding of the flag presentation and playing of taps ceremony at the American Legion Post 82 in Lanark. The Ladies Auxiliary Post 82 served lunch for family and friends.
Gael and the family would like to convey special thanks to Tonya's Hope; Big Bend Hospice; Pastor Julie Stephens of Carrabelle United Methodist Church; the United States Navy; American Legion Post 82 and Ladies Auxiliary, Lanark; Warden Duffy Harrison of Franklin Correctional Institute, Carrabelle; Wakulla Correctional Institute Honor Guard, Crawfordville; Ronnie's co-workers at Franklin Correctional Institution who sustained and nurtured him throughout his illness; and Ronnie's daughter-in-law, Debbie Wright for her tireless devotion and care during his illness.
Celebtration of life
Sergeant Ron Keiser
At 10:55 Just before the family enters; "Amazing Grace"
Read of the Obituary: Julie
Family remembrance: Rev. Bill Field
Ronnie was born Feb. 6, 1946 and he cried for 13 months, I have been down that road. Yon lay on the floor with the baby on your stomach and the days turn into nights and the nights into days and wonder when is this going to be over, This just wasn't the way it was supposed to be. Anyway, we think we have all the answers and sometimes it backfires on us.
Ronnie loved animals and in second grade the school was having a dog show and of course Ronnie thought his dog was better than the other dogs so he asked mon if he could enter the show. I don't have to tell you her answer, well I will anyway, I'm not sure if she told him this , but his dog was a mutt with no special talents. Mon says absolutely you can not show it. He had no collar, no leash, it didn't even have a bath. The day of the dog show Ann attended the show and here comes Ronnie with dog, a clothes line for leash and collar and paraded that dog like it was a champion. You guessed it he won frist prize for the best behaved dog.
Our Mon bought him a set of plastic tools for christmas. He was facinated with the screw driver and he would take the screw out of the door knobs so when you opened the door the handle would come off, open a window the and that handle would come off, can you picture this little guy. That was probably the beginning of his trade.
Ronnie went four years in votec training to be an auto mechanic. and when he graduated he was hired by the Chrysler Corp. probably a career Opportunity, instead he joined the Navy, took his boot camp in Great Lakes and was assigned to the Air craft Carrier Independence and served most of his time off the coast of Vietnam.
Ronnie is Amanda's Godfather, from the time she was a little girl she used to go visit Ronnie and Gail with Mon. When the girls were younger, Ronnie came to live with us for about a year. Rick and Ronnie worked together at Rick's shop. Ronnie's specialty was replacing truck clutches. Ronnie and rick took our rottweiler, Ralphie to the shop everyday, Ronnie got a kick out of Ralppie going around to the warehouses and stealing lunches. Sometimes he would come back dragging a shoe, a broom,whatever he could pick up in his mouth. Ronnie sometimes had a bit of a temper and some of the guys were intimidated by him. When they would come home aafter work every night. we had family dinner alot of good laughs. He loved to spend time with our girls. one night, they wanted to give him a special hair do, so they sat him down on the sofa and both Amanda and Krista put about 20 barrettes in his hair and made him look so pretty!!! In the pool, he used to pull the girls around by their long hair, and they always went back for more. He loved to scare Krista by pulling out his teeth and try to hand them to her. She was about 3 years old. His favorite candy was black jelly beans, enjoyed. a cold beer and loved to go fishing with his buddies. When we found out that Ronnie had cancer. the family was very sad and scared for what he was going to have to face. We knew Ronnie was a fighter and had a strong will to live. We had some really good heart to heart talks when we went on our trips to visit Ronnie, we partied, grilled, went for golf cart rides, danced in the backyard, we had alot of fun times together. Ronnie loved his wife, Gail and would praise how lucky he was to have her. We are so very thankful for Debbie who took such wonderful care of Ronnie throughout all of his treatments with so much love and Compassion. Ronnie adored his grandchildren and would light up when ever he talked about them. When we talk, he would brag how he had the best nurses taking care of him. Gail by his side at home
and Debbie and family when he stayed with them. He really enjoyed spending quality time with his family. Ronnie loved to fish. his last vist in March, Rick took Ronnie fishing and they caught four nice King fish. We all loved Ronnie and he will be remembered as the best Son, Husband, Brother, father, godfather, grandpa, uncle, and friend. I think Ronnie is watching over us and would like all of us to be at peace with all our special Ronald Wilbur (Ronnie) Keiser
The Early years Pastor Julie
When Gail and Ron met, he was working as a diesal mechanic for farm equipment and a technician for Thermal King Refrigeration at McCarther Dairy in Sunrise near Pompano. Gail was a Landscaper for the Brevard Community College in Coconut Creek.
They met and dated, and one day just decided to marry. Ron in his work uniform and Gail in her jeans and green landscaping shirt were married by J.P., a judge and good friend.
They moved to Hawthorne, which is located outside Gainesville, and lived on a small farm where they raised miniature horses and goats. Gail told me of the time on their farm when the days were so hot that she wished they had a pool. Ron pick up a couple of fiberglass tubs, about the size of water trouths, and put them side by side and filled them with water, He climbed in one and Gail climbed in the other, each resting their arms on the sides and enjoying the cool water. Gail called that her redneck Swimming Pool!
One day Gail saw an ad in the paper for a Corrections Officer at Starke and suggested that Ron apply. The rest, as they say, is history. Later Gail also trained and Became an officer.
Ron also worked at the Broward Prison for women, the Marion County Prison for women, Lawdie Prison, and Finally at Franklin C.I.
Ron was a Mechanical Genius. He could fix anything, and sometimes he was very creative, Gail told me about the time their grill rusted out, so Ron took an old push mower and removed the motor and cutting blades and turned the base over. Then he took the metal frames of a couple of real estate signs and a discarded metal rack from and old stove and made a new grill! Gail called it their redneck grill!
Mike shared an incident that occurred when Ron was a dog trainer with the prison. He said that on one particular day he was working on a construction site with some of his crew when Ron pulled up with his hounds. He had been out training the dogs and stopped by to say hello. The crew however, not knowing the officer was Mike's step father, thought someone was in serious trouble!!!
Steve, who is the younger brother, moved in with Ron and Gail for a season. That's when he met Debbie. After they wed. they lived for a short time with Ron and Gail.
It was a special time of bonding for them.
Ron was a very colorful character. He loved to sit in the back yard and tinker with lawn movers and drink refreshments with his friends. He had a devilish sense of humor and often went for the shock value. You never knew what he was going to say. He loved to say, "Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone."
He was also very strict as an officer, and took his work very seriously, but the inmates respected him. Ron had a tremendous work ethic. He was committed to his job, and it didn't matter how sick he might have felt, he would not miss any work.(Warden Dufft, Officers)
Gail told me about a time when Greg Daniels was training the dogs, and one of the pups lost the sent when it was distracted by a six pack of refreshment that had been discarded on the side of the road. They named the pup "Keiser."
Debbie often took Ron to his Chemo treatments and they spent their time making jokes and cracking up the other in the office.
One day Summer and Audrey wrote a song about tgheir grandfather and sang it for him. A couple of weeks ago, when Debbie brought the children out to see Ron, Audrey climbed up into his hospital bed and kissed him. She told him she liked the new bed. Although Ron was weak and could barely speak, his eyes began to twinkle, and he pushed the button to make the bed go up and down as Audrey squealed in delight.
I met brother Ron the day before he passed from this world. I asked him if he was born again, if he had accepted Jesus as his Savior, and he nodded hids head yes. I also asked him if he had worked through any forgivness issues, and again he said yes. Ron had a year to prepare He spent time with Pastor Mark... He was ready.
All of us will pass from this world one day, and we may not have the opportunity Ron had to prepare. Heaven and Hell are real places, and eternity is a long time, We will not live forever in our bodies, but our Spirits will live forever.
When that day comes, we are not going to enter heaven on our good looks, Our good works, or our good parents. Father God sent His Son to die on the cross and pay the price for our sin. The only way we can go to heaven is to accept the free gift of Salvation. We have to confess our sins and repent, change our behavior, ask for forgiveness, and invite Jesus to be the lord of our life. There is no other way we can get to heaven. Jesus is the only way.
The sky is blue,
I miss you,
I can't live without you,
My heart is brocken,
You make everything happen,
Your the best grandpa i've ever had,
And now,
I miss,
you,
But your in a better place now
I miss,
Written and Sang by: Summer Maskevich and Audrey Wright
Song: "In the Garden
Backyard conversations:Reverend Mark Mercer
Guests invited to share thoughts
Scripture reading: Pastor Julie
Color Guard
Closing Song, "Swing low, Sweet Chariot:
Carrabelle United Methodist Church
102 NE. Avenue B
Carrabelle, Fl, 32322
Pastor Julie Stephens
PH 850-697-3672
Service June 19 at 11AM
Family Members
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