Ronald John Raisanen

He was born August 23, 1937, in Laurium, to the late Eino and Bertha Makkonen Raisanen.

Ronald is survived by his wife of 53 years, the former Mildred “Millie” Smallwood, of Chillicothe; son, Rodney Raisanen, of Chillicothe; siblings, Phil Raisanen, of Calumet, Mary Raisanen Goddard, of Imperial Beach, California, and Gary Raisanen, of Jacksonville, Florida; granddaughter, Sara Raisanen, of Kalispell, Montana; step-grandchildren, Kayla, Kyle and Christopher Cade, all of Chillicothe; and nieces and nephews.

Ronald was predeceased by his father, Eino Raisanen, of Republic; and mother, Bertha Makkonen Raisanen, of Calumet.

Ronald attended the Calumet High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1963 as a jet engine mechanic for the Strategic Air Command, working on first, B-47s and B-52s. While in the Air Force, he had duty stations at Lockbourne AFB, Lockbourne, Ohio; Anderson AFB, Gaum; and K.I. Sawyer AFB, Marquette.

After leaving the Air Force in 1963, Ronald Moved to Ohio where he met and married Millie Smallwood in November of 1964. In December of 1965, shortly after the birth of the couple’s child, Rodney, Ronald began his career with the U.S. Postal Service in Chillicothe, Ohio, from which he retired in 1992. In his retirement, Ronald spent 25 years working as a transport driver delivering campers. This allowed him and Millie to travel all over the United States and Canada.

Ronald was a dedicated member of Calvary Baptist Church, Chillicothe, Ohio, and was extremely devoted to his wife and family. He was a great lover of nature and the outdoors and loved exploring the backroads across the United States.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, January 4, 2018, in the WARE FUNERAL HOME with Pastor Brandon Lee and Rev. Don Ringer officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Cemetery where military graveside rites will be conducted by the Ross County Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call at the WARE FUNERAL HOME one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

You may sign his online register at warefh.com.