Ronald Jirik

Ronald Frank Jirik, 90, of Addison, IL passed away on Monday, October 7, 2024 at his daughter's MN home. Ron was born on December 28, 1933 in Cicero, IL to Frank Edward Jirik and Cecelia (Braun) Jirik. Ron spent his early years in Chicago, living in the neighborhood surrounded by close relatives, before Frank and Cecelia moved to Brookfield, IL. Because he was an only child, the strong bonds and memories he built with his extended family during this time was a treasure that he valued for the rest of his life.

At Brookfield High School, Ron was a 3-sport athlete fondly known as "Butch." In his senior year, he caused a bit of a scandal when he took a young freshman, Melissa Exdell, to a dance. The pair dated while Melissa was in high school and married on February 22, 1955, shortly after her graduation.

Ron enlisted in the Army in December 1954 and was stationed in Las Cruces, NM where Melissa joined him after they were married. It was here that their first child, Stephen Charles, was born. In 1956, Ron was honorably discharged and the small family returned to Illinois to build their new life. In 1958, their second son Scott R joined the family and in 1960, they moved to Addison, IL, into a home which became the hub of their family life for 64 years. After a 7-year hiatus, they began their "second family" when their daughter Kristin Rose was born in 1965 and their son Michael Paul followed in 1967. Meanwhile, Ron worked for 38 years in the printing trade, running 2- and 4- color presses during a time when print materials were still printed on a large machine!

Ron was a gregarious man who enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors. He could talk to anyone and made friends everywhere! His love for sports never left him and throughout the years included softball, ice skating, water volleyball and bowling-including a 300 game of which he was very proud!

Ron valued his family above all else and as the years went by, the immediate family grew to 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Even though their children spread further afield than Ron and Melissa cared for, the families worked hard to continue to gather and have very special memories of their backyard parties. Ron loved to be outside and was especially protective of his trees. In later years, he loved to get on his riding mower and putter around the backyard. His personality was a large presence and the quiet he has left behind is the hole in our hearts.

Ron is survived by his wife Melissa of 69 years, who remembers him as "the best husband"; his children Steve of Rockton, IL, Scott of Poway, CA, Kristin Sorenson (Eric) of Rochester, MN and Michael (Kristie) of Normal, IL; his grandchildren from coast to coast- Katherine Jirik, Thomas Sorenson, Rachel Barwegen (Abe), David Sorenson (Ella), Shannon Jirik, Diana Sorenson-Lang (Jordan), Quin Jirik, E Sorenson, Caleb Jirik (Sara), Colin Jirik, Ian Jirik and Maria Jirik and his great-grandchildren Noel and Esther Barwegen.

Burial will take place at Woodlawn Memorial Park in River Forest, IL. Services are pending at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Lombard Bible Church (Lombard, IL) and the American Institute of Cancer Research (https://www.aicr.org/.)