Ronald Lee Ammerman

It is with great sadness that we share the loss of our father, Ronald Lee Ammerman, 86, of Spiceland, who passed away on the evening of Friday, December 20, 2024, at Glen Oaks Health Campus. He was born on June 13, 1938, in Union City, Indiana, a son of the late Gene Vernon and Mary Lois (Houser) Ammerman. Ronnie lived in the Spiceland area since 1968. He was a 1956 Mt. Summit High School graduate, where he played basketball and was a proud Eagle. He was offered a full-ride scholarship to bowl for Purdue but only went to college one day and left to pursue what he loved. In 1958, he married his sweetheart, Laura Hagerman, and they began their life together on the Ammerman/Houser family farm in Luray, Indiana. Ronnie loved working and being outside with his cows and horses, the soil, his wildflowers, and his garden. Ronnie worked for the government for several years as a USDA Federal Inspector. He traveled throughout the US and graded many items, including fruits, vegetables, and Christmas trees. Ronnie was away from home for up to six months at a time and finally retired to work locally to be with his family. He worked at Henry County REMC until he founded R. L. Ammerman & Sons Fencings, A.T. Consultants, and Hoosier Timber Consultants. He loved working with trees and in the woods. All of his children helped him with fencing and in the woods. Among his hobbies, Ronnie enjoyed Indian artifacts, antique marbles, and other unique items. He was known throughout the United States and featured in many articles and books, and in Who’s Who of Artifacts. He and Laura traveled all over to shows and conventions, and in the 1980s, he hosted a local artifact show at Memorial Park in the Smith Building. Ronnie also enjoyed Flea Markets and had a booth in Cambridge City. Ronnie sponsored the Polled Hereford Cattle Grand Champion for many years at the Henry County 4H Fair. One of his favorite passions was auto racing, holding season tickets at many NASCAR tracks, and was a regular at Mt. Lawn Speedway and Eldora Speedway. He loved vacationing in Florida and spending time with his grandchildren. Ronnie loved reading, playing bingo and in the past two years, putting a puzzle together each day. Those left to cherish Ronnie’s memory include his daughter, Lana Ammerman-White; his son, Robbie Ammerman; his daughter-in-law, Sandy Ammerman (Pete Lowe), and his twin granddaughters, Ali and Macy White, all of New Castle; his grandsons, Jaysun (Cristina) Ammerman and Jaycob (Merika) Ammerman all of Florida; two brothers, Philip (Juanita) Ammerman of Anderson and Tim Ammerman of Connersville; a brother-in-law, Duane Hendrix of New Castle; three nieces, Jackie Criswell, Dana Ellison, and Mary Beth Kumler; six nephews, Rex Criswell, Don Criswell, Doug O’Rear, Terry Hendrix, Chris Hendrix, and Greg Ammerman; three cousins, Linda Burch, Cathy Gregory, and Joyce Leffew, and special friends, Martha Seagraves and Jim White. In addition to his parents, Ronnie was preceded in death by his wife, Laura Ammerman, in 1986; his son, Jay Ammerman, in 2021; a nephew, Randy Koger; a niece, Betty O’Rear, and two companions, Mildred Sue Grider and Alice Jean Fairchild. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Sproles Family Funeral Home, with Rev. Gene Bennett and Robbie Ammerman officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hills Memory Gardens. Friends may call at the funeral home from 12:00 pm until the time of service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be offered to the funeral home to assist the family with expenses. You may contribute by Clicking Here. A couple of quotes from his favorite author, Louis L’Amour, seem appropriate at this time. “There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet, that will be the beginning.” and “When I die, remember that what you knew of me is with you always. What is buried is only the shell, but remember the man. Remember the father.” Ronnie’s family would like to say a special thank you to Glen Oaks Health Campus and staff, as well as Southern Care Hospice. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Ronald Lee Ammerman.

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Ronald Lee Ammerman

June 13, 1938 - December 20, 2024