Services
Obituary
Guest Book
1927
2017
Ronald Cleveland Shover, SMSGT VTANG (Ret)
May 4, 1927 – January 13, 2017
Ronald Cleveland "Snowball" Shover died peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of Friday, January 13th at his winter home in DeBary, FL following several months of declining illness. He was 89 years old.
Ron was a native Vermonter, the fourth of six children born to Cleveland Harold Shover and Jessie (Spicer) Shover in Richford, Vermont, at the height of the Great Depression. In 1950 Ronald married the love of his life Marion (Carter) Shover, living in the areas of Burlington and Underhill Vermont during their early years of marriage, later settling in Richmond, Vermont where they raised four children together. For the past three decades Ron and Marion were snowbirds, spending summers in Vermont and winters in Florida.
Ronald was a WWII veteran, enlisting in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He later signed on with the Army National Guard and was called up for active duty for the Korean conflict as a field medic attached to the armored division. His next brush with military service was with the Vermont Air National Guard (VTANG) where he was in charge of the base medical clinic. Ron worked for the Air National Guard until his retirement in the fall of 1980, achieving the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.
Having wide and varied interests, Ron began singing as a young boy and was well known as the "Nightingale of Richford". As an adult he sang in several choirs, a barbershop quartet, and an all-male group in Deland, FL named "Great Expectations". In the Burlington and Richmond Vermont areas he was a local tenor soloist, often singing on Christmas eve for churches in the area. Some of his other favorite interests through the years included oil painting, fly fishing, hunting, training bird dogs, sky diving, bowling, golfing, gardening and taking his family on summer camping trips.
Ronald was predeceased by his parents Cleveland and Jessie, his brothers William and Douglas, his sisters Mae and Geraldine. He is survived by: his last remaining sibling, George, his beloved and devoted wife of 66 years, Marion, his four children Pamela, Kathryn, James and Ronald, grandchildren Angela Ross, Jessie Carlisle, Christopher Sutton, Jhana Hart, Emmalee Bartman, Jeffery Shover, Elijah Shover, and Ethan Shover, two great-grandchildren Hannah and Laila, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins and other extended family members.
A memorial service will be held at 2pm, Monday January 23rd at Deltona Memorial Funeral Home, 1295 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, FL. Interment will be in the spring at the Vermont Veterans Cemetery, Randolph, Vermont.
In lieu of flowers please make a contribution in Ronald's memory to: West Volusia Humane Society, 800 Humane Society Rd, DeLand, FL 32720
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Deltona Memorial Funeral Home.
November 6, 2021
Family
Penny Smyth
You were my uncle. I wish i could have met you. Your in my heart. Pray for us down here Uncle. I love you
January 30, 2017
Donald Majercik
Many wonderful memories of Ron during my early days at the VTANG. He showed me the ropes.
Don ( Doc) Majercik
January 25, 2017
Jim, my condolences and prayers on the passing of your dad. It sounds like you and your family were very fortunate to have him for so long.
Jim Halpin
Ftn Hills, AZ
January 23, 2017
Melanie Webster & Family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We are very sorry for your loss.
January 23, 2017
I had many years of friendship with Ron during our many years of working at the Air National Guard.
Ron was a true friend to all.
Condolences to all the family.
Bob Wilson VTANG Dec 56 -Jan 88)
January 21, 2017
Cheryl Prevost
Jeff am sorry for the lost of your father
January 20, 2017
Condolences from Louisville, Ky. We first met on September 5, 1933, on entering the first grade in Richford . Soon after that his moniker emerged and his voice will never be forgotten.
Rodman Whitman
January 20, 2017
Rest in peace Ronald Shover whom I remember well
Neil Marshall
January 20, 2017
Tucker Leonard
Many wonderful memories made at Vt. Air Nat'l Guard. RIP Ron. Tucker Leonard & fam.
January 19, 2017
Scott Long
This is a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man! My condolences for your loss, and we are praying for God to help you and carry you.
January 19, 2017
Karen St George
Loved reading all about Ron Sr's music. He's directing the angel choir in heaven and I'm sure it is beautiful! Love, hugs and prayers for you all. Be blessed by the memories you all share.
January 19, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
The Family of Robert L Van Ornum (Vt, Air National Guard)
January 19, 2017
Paul Parent
Ron Shover was one off the nicest people I had the privilege of working with !! RIP
Paul Parent
January 19, 2017
Warren Lavery
To all of Ron's family, please accept my heartfelt condolences and prayers. I am sure he has left you all with many, many happy memories. Thinking of him now brings a grin to my face. I worked with Ron at the Air Guard from 1960 till he retired in 1980. His sense of humor was infectious.
Rest in peace fellow Green Mountain Boy.
January 19, 2017
Bill Billado
Marion and family, I was deeply saddened to learn of Ron's passing. I have many fond memories of working for "Shanker" in the 158th USAF Dispensary in the early 60's. He will be truly missed by everyone who knew him.
Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results
Jan
23
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more