Obituary of Ronald Lewis

Ronald Eric Lewis, beloved husband and father passed away on August 21st, 2026.  

Ron was born on November 16th, 1948, to Elizabeth (Lisa) Walberga Berger, and James George Lewis at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Elmira New York. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1966 and Corning Community College in 1968 in Elmira. He received his BA at Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa in 1970, and his master’s in education from Elmira College. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam with the US Army and CID in Saigon. He began his employment at JJ Newberry’s in Elmira helping with the cleanup after Hurricane Agnes. He worked for Westinghouse in Horseheads, New York and Vicksburg, Mississippi. He also worked for Crouse Hinds after they purchased Westinghouse.  After a move from Vicksburg back to Elmira, he worked for 17 years for Hardinge Inc. in various accounting positions. His final position was with Electri-Cord MFG in Westfield, Pa. where he retired as CFO in 2013.

He was a 50 Year member of Elmira Council #229 Knights of Columbus, serving as their Financial Secretary, one-time Grand Knight. He was active on Parish Councils for St. Michaels in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Our Lady of Lourdes in Elmira, New York and St. Mary’s in Oxford, Iowa.

He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Patricia Nelson Lewis, three children: Mark (Leah) Lewis, Sarah (Jesse) DiLorenzo, and Matthew Lewis. Three Grandchildren: Luke and Bella DiLorenzo, and Noah Lewis. Cousins: Mary (Jeremy) Tate, and Karl Lewis and their children. His nephew John (Angie) Pacha, and their Children: Clara (Richard) Nyunt, Caleb (Autumn), Blaze, and Cooper.  His parents, grandparents, uncle Johnny and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Evelyn and Steve Pacha, proceeded him in death.

He prayed the rosary every day with special prayers for Michael McGivney until his health prevented these actions. He was a kind, gentle and loving father who worked hard all his life to provide for his family until his retirement. He loved to garden and walk his dog Fox.

Special thanks to the VA Veterans Home Health Group, Fred Lima: Right at Home, Essence of Hospice, and the Staff of Colonial Manor in Amana.   Special Friends: Penny and Lee, Barb and Bob, Marti and Rich, Kathy and Frank, Virgil and Cindy, Steven, Donna, Theresa, and Jackie: for their prayers, phone calls, texts, and support in the last years of Ron’s life.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10am Saturday, August 29, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oxford, where a time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the services beginning at 9am.  A reception will be held at the St. Mary’s Auditorium in Oxford following the Mass.   Private family graveside services will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Oxford.  To share a thought, memory or condolence please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Mary’s Oxford, Iowa, or Heart Friends at the University of Iowa Hospitals.