Ronal "Ron" Joe Heuton

Ronal Heuton
Pleasant Hill, Iowa

Ronal “Ron” Heuton, 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 30, 2026 at his home in Pleasant Hill. He was born on September 22, 1938 to Joseph and Reckia (Seeden) Heuton in Carroll County, Iowa.

Ron enjoyed sprint car racing, spending many Saturday nights at Knoxville Raceway often with his son Mike or his grandson Kevin. He enjoyed camping, be it in the tiny, fold-down that he took his family trips with or the fifth-wheel trailer that he and Janness spent their summers in at Saylorville or Red Rock lakes. He loved flowers and birds of all kinds and could generally name most varieties on sight. Ron liked football and basketball (mostly college) and he and Janness rarely missed a men’s or women’s game featuring the Iowa Hawkeyes (he wasn’t averse to a Cyclones game) if they were on tv. He enjoyed his morning paper with a cup of coffee, and as a rule Ron loved food of any kind. It’s unclear where all that food went as he wasn’t overweight a day in his life, but if there was food on his plate (or yours) he was absolutely going to eat it. Ron loved people. He never met a stranger and was generous and kind to everyone in his orbit. Quick with a funny quip or a friendly smile Ron had an uncanny ability to brighten your day and put you at ease with effortless grace. You had to be on your toes however, because Ron often offered up an affectionate “fist bump” to the shoulder or back that could knock a filling loose. Mostly Ron loved his family. He adored his beloved wife of nearly 71 years, Janness. He loved his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and even great great grandchildren.

Ron and Janness married at just sixteen and started a family in short order. Never one to shy away from responsibility, Ron had a strong work ethic and worked hard to provide for his family before retiring from the United States Postal Service in 1997 after over thirty years of service. He made friends of many customers and coworkers along the way, often joining his fellow retirees for coffee or breakfast in the years following. In nearly thirty years of retirement Ron enjoyed working in the yard, around the house, playing with all of those grandchildren, family get togethers and riding his bicycle regularly (right up until just a few months ago!). Ron and Janness recently transitioned to an independent living community where they flourished after enduring the ravages of time and a handful of medical setbacks. He was cheerful and positive to the end, reflective and appreciative of a life so fully lived, yet optimistic at what the future held. He called or texted his beloved sister, Elaine each morning and night. As fate would have it they both ended up in the same hospital on the same floor for one final reunion weeks before his passing. She was able to visit him in his room and he absolutely lit up at the unexpected surprise before spending the afternoon laughing together, even calling his favorite niece, Katherine, to join in on a video chat. To say it was therapeutic does no justice to the word.

Those left to cherish Ron’s memory include the great love of his life, Janness; his brother Wendall; sister-in law, Jean Heuton; children, Ronal “Joe” Jr. (Angelika), Mike (Janine) and Lori Heuton; his grandchildren, Kevin (Cindy) Miller, Lacey (Joe) Sickels, Michelle (Joey) Burriola, Melissa (Matt) Crane, Reckia (Chesstin) Johnson, Frauke Heuton, Ronnie Heuton and several loving great and great great grandchildren.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Reckia; his brothers Eugene (Mary) Heuton, Marvin (Norma) Heuton, Darrell Heuton; his sisters, Lavon Hudson, Doris (Everett) Cleland, Elaine (Kenny) Johnston; sister-in law, Jeanie Heuton and daughter Roxanne Miller.

Family will greet guests on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family in the memory of Ron.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com

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