Ronald Wallis Kitchens' Obituary
Ronald Wallis Kitchens, 89, of Decatur, IL, passed away at 6:36 P.M. on Tuesday (01-06-2026) at Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Ronald was born on April 13, 1936, in Butler Country, KY, the son of Plutarch Zuenglish Kitchens and Zeffie Lorraine (Belcher) Kitchens. He married Velma Jean Schuster on March 27, 1965, in Decatur, IL.
Ronald moved to Illinois in 1939. He went to Decatur High School graduating in 1955. Ronald served in the United States Navy from 1955-1959. He worked at Staley’s in Decatur for 35 years, retiring in 1994. Ronald also worked as a Custodian for Argenta/Oreana High School for 7 years. He was a member of First Christian Church and was a born-again Christian. Ronald loved to go bowling, and enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls games.
He is survived by his wife Velma of Decatur, IL; and God was always put first and very instrumental in raising his 3 sons: Troy Kitchens and wife Tammy of Rock Island, TN; Jeffrey Kitchens and wife Jeania of Mesa, AZ; and Timothy Kitchens and wife Lisa of Decatur, IL; 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents, son Ronald, great-grandson Ethan Kitchens, 4 brothers and 5 sisters.
Memorials may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The burial will be at Macon County Memorial Park with no services per Ronald’s request.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family in care of Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Homes https://www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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