Ronald Hlad Obituary

Ronald Henry Hlad was born to Albert & Mary (Vejl) Hlad at the Dream Theater Clinic in Russell, KS on
July 25, 1934. He was the second of four children born into the family: Edward, Ronald, Geraldine, and
Alene. They lived on the family farm SE of Bunker Hill, KS and went to the 4 corners school. He later
moved with his parents to a farm SW of Sylvan Grove, KS where he attended Twin Grove School for 2
years. Ron graduated from Sylvan Grove High School in 1952. From 1955-1958 he attended Omaha Bible
Institute in Omaha, NE. While a student at OBI, he traveled with a quartet representing the school in
churches across the NE, IA, & KS region and also with an octet in MT & SD. It was at OBI he met Jane
Dearchs, who would thereafter become his bride of 67 years! To this union were born four children:
Randall, Jean, Steven and Carol.
Ron was a hardworking farmer/rancher by trade. He and his father & brother instituted new practices in
farming by using the Moline one-way implement instead of the plow to work the soil after harvest in the
1940's. In the years to follow, they integrated the use of the Sunflower offset disc and v-blade. Their use
of larger implements introduced the first Versatile 4-wheel drive tractor to the Sylvan Grove area. Ron
also spent countless hours building and maintaining terraces to preserve the soil. As a good steward in
many ways, he was frugal in the use of his money, realizing it was merely a tool. He believed that it is
God who truly provides. Therefore, God blessed him for it, and in turn, Ron demonstrated generosity to
others.
Ronald accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of 7 and on his profession of faith was
immersed in baptism. After returning home from Bible college, he established daily devotions and
faithful church attendance with his young family. He demonstrated leadership by actively serving in his
local church as a deacon, lay preacher, Sunday school teacher, and song leader. Ron served for 47 years
on the board of Faith Baptist Bible College, Ankeny, IA (formerly OBI & OBBC) and on the Board of
Midwest Regular Baptist Camp, Ozawkie, KS. He provided transportation to church, VBS, and AWANA for
countless area children and sang solos for many funerals. He was considered a faithful man of God who
set a godly example and left a lasting impact on his wife, his children & their spouses, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, as well as many family and friends.
Some of the things he enjoyed most were: the old Hymns, teasing, pickles, cookies, ice cream, his
grandchildren & great-grandchildren, and looking forward to meeting his Savior face to face!
He was preceded in death by his parents Albert & Mary (Vejl) Hlad, brother Ed Hlad, sister Geraldine
Meyer, and granddaughter Jenessa Hlad. Left to carry on are his wife Jane, Sylvan Grove, KS, son Randall
(Beth), Sylvan Grove, KS, daughter Jean (Don) Michaelsen, Marshalltown, IA, son Steven (Kim), Lincoln,
KS, daughter Carol (Scott) Langston, Meriden, KS, sister Alene Thompson, VA, 15 grandchildren, and 28
(soon to be 29) great grandchildren.
2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith"