Ron Kohles

Ronald John Kohles was born October 20, 1954, to Delbert and Celestine “Sally” (Arkfeld) Kohles in Harlan, Iowa. He was raised in Panama until the 2nd grade when the family moved to California. Ron attended Crestmoore High School in San Bruno, California. After high school he worked for Davey Tree in California. When he was 20 years old he returned to Panama and worked for Harlan Builders and Franklin Oppold at the Panama Lumber; later purchasing the lumber yard with is nephew. Ron married Meg Schwery on August 16, 1975, at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama. Ron closed the lumber yard and started his custom cabinetry and carpentry work. He also worked at One Ton Welding in Panama.

Ron was a member of the St. Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama. He played town team baseball for Panama for several years. He also enjoyed slow pitch softball and golf. Ron enjoyed having company at his home and he was a magnet for kids. Ron was known as a one-man-parade and he enjoyed handing out candy to kids.

Ron died Saturday, July 2, 2011, at his home in Panama, Iowa at the age of 56 years, eight months, and 12 days.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Meg Kohles of Panama, IA; three daughters, Sara (Nick) Hall of Olathe, KS, Angie (Scott) Gross of Omaha, NE, Linda Kohles and fiancé Nick Oliver of Logan, IA; five grand-children, Kiley, Emma & Michael Hall, Mikayla & Kendra Gross; seven siblings, Gary (Bev) Kohles of Portsmouth, IA, Karen (Alf) Wingert of Panama, IA, Carol (Phil) Wegner of Panama, IA, Jerome (Connie) Kohles of Harlan, Iowa, Michael (Jan) Kohles of Folsom, California, Joe (Janet) Kohles of Portsmouth, Iowa, Jo Ann (Jay) Townsend of Media, PA; father-in-law, Jim Schwery of Panama, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.