Ronald Dale Whitesel, 61, of Decatur, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 4, 2026, at IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis.
Ron was born on Aug. 29, 1964, in Wabash to Dale and Margaret Roselin (Sample) Whitesel. He graduated from Bluffton High School in 1983 and has always been a “Tiger” at heart. He received a scholarship to play football for Culver Stockton College, in Canton, Missouri, where he received his teaching degree. While in college, Ron coached and umpired farm league and coached 7th and 8th grade football for Bluffton. Ron worked at Scott’s grocery stores, Eddy’s Ice Cream, where he was a regional district manager, and more recently AmeriGas Propane, where he was an operations manager over six states. He retired from that job in 2014.
Ron was adventurous. He loved to travel and try different foods. He was known as a “foodie.” He could be found cheering on the Cubs and the Packers. Ron often got his news exclusively from Fox News. He cherished his time with family and looked forward to Saturday and Sunday family dinners. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian.
On Oct. 30, 2012, Ron and Christina “Tina” (Rhoades) were married in Denver, Colorado. They have been blessed with 13 years together.
Survivors include his wife, Tina Whitesel of Decatur; children, Zac (Megan) Whitesel of Ossian, Danielle (Collin) Campbell of Decatur and Julian (Shaniese) Schott of Decatur. He was a loving grandpa to six grandchildren, Sophia, Theodore, Elijah and Roselin Campbell and Kiya and Emeri Schott. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Anne Garner of Huntington.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Christopher A. Whitesel.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ossian with Rev. Samuel Wirgau officiating. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Ossian.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, at the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton and for one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Bluffton Athletic Boosters and be directed through the funeral home.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends may share online condolences with the family at www.thomarich.com.