Ronald Pressel Obituary

Ronald "Ron" Emery Pressel, 90, of Trail Creek Place Assisted Living, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, from complications of Parkinson's disease and dementia.

Ronald was born June 12, 1934, in Union Township, Union Mills, Indiana, to Emery and Anna (Bridegroom) Pressel.

Ron graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in agronomy. He then married Sheila Parker. Three children were born and raised on their farm. Ron was drafted on Oct. 8, 1957, and served in the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged on July 7, 1959. He then spent six years in the National Guard.

After his discharge from the Army, he started his long career in farming. Ron was a successful farmer and innovator. He served on numerous rural committees. On May 1, 1993, he married Loretta E. Morgan. They purchased a farm near Walkerton and continued farming corn and soybeans. They happily lived there for 31 years.

Ron was actively involved in three churches during his lifetime, Tracy UMC, Walkerton UMC and Salem Chapel UMC. He loved to teach Sunday School and held numerous church positions on church councils including Lay Leader. Ron was a director on the REMC board of directors for 15 years. He belonged to the Pioneerland Development Committee at Pioneer Village at the La Porte County Fairgrounds. Ron belonged to the Indiana Gourd Society where he held many board positions. He is well known for his artistry on hard shell gourds. He and his wife, Loretta, grew gourds and planted huge vegetable and flower gardens. Ron was a lover of nature, rocks and animals, especially cats.

Ron is survived by his wife, Loretta; son, Eric Pressel of La Porte; two daughters, Andrea (John) Wiley of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Tracy Hayter (Kevin) of La Porte; three grandchildren, Tori Hayter of La Porte, Luke (Victoria) Hayter of La Porte and April Minix of Fayetteville, North Carolina; great-granddaughter, Mackinley of La Porte; brother, Robert Pressel of Union Mills; sister, Margaret Kreag of Peru; as well as many nieces and nephews. Ron is also survived by his five stepchildren, Pamela Oberholtzer of Temple, Georgia, Perry (Rosie) Oberholtzer of Walkerton, Scott (Diane) Oberholtzer of Michigan City, Rebecca (William) Funk of Flagstaff, Arizona, and Charles (Heidi) Morgan of Michigan City; nine step-grandchildren; and 13 step-great-grandchildren.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Karen Pressel; and brother-in-law, Jim Kreag.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center.

A time of visitation will be held from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Sunday at the funeral home.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at Salem Chapel Cemetery, 2802 E. SR 4, La Porte.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Pioneerland, P.O. Box 16, La Porte, IN 46350; Dunes Hospice, 4711 Evans Ave., Valparaiso, IN 46383; or Salem Chapel United Methodist Church, 2802 State Road 4, La Porte, IN 46350.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www. cutlercares.com.