Ronald Haller

Ronald Lee Gelino Haller, age 78 of Home, Kansas, was called to his eternal home, July 13, 2024, after multiple strokes.

He was born on December 8, 1945, in Clay Center, Kansas, the son of Melvin Gelino and Norma (Malcolm) Gelino. Sadly, he lost his father in the Service of our Country, as a member of the United States Air Force on March 23, 1950. He spent his early childhood in Morganville and later moved with his mother, adoptive father, Wayne Haller, and his little sisters, Cheri and Patti, to Leonardville. He enjoyed spending time with family working on his grandparents’ farm.

Ron graduated from Riley County High School in 1963. He married Linda Jenkins in 1964 and to the union were three children: Julie, Jeffrey and Patrick. He worked for Rex’s Tire Company in Clay Center and eventually the family moved to Marysville, Kansas, where he was trained and became a Signalman for the Union Pacific Railroad.

He later married Tamar Kurtz and they had four children: Dawn, Rebecca, Jesse, and Mathew and settled in Home, Kansas.

Ron was very mechanical and extremely talented with his hands. He refurnished many antique furniture pieces, built black powder pistols and remote-controlled airplanes. He even took flying lessons. He was happiest tinkering on his antique cars, tractors and motorcycles surrounded by his faithful dogs, donkeys, cats, chickens, ducks, geese turkeys, and peacocks. He had a beautiful singing voice and enjoyed singing Elvis and Johnny Cash songs. He felt the most comfortable in the great outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Later in life, he appreciated attending antique gun shows, car shows, visits with his classmates, neighbors, friends and traveling to home-town celebrations in his 1929 Ford Model A. He gardened and worked the farm ground with his “B” and “G” John Deere tractors. He tended his huge garden nurturing sweet corn, tomatoes, onions, peppers and pumpkins along with any other produce that caught his eye. He was an avid history fan and spent many hours reading and visiting museums researching multiple historic artifacts and WWII. He blended his love of history and working with his hands, remodeling a historic 1860 limestone house. Many enjoyable hours were spent taking spins around the farm and surveying his garden in his 68” Ford Pick-up, stopping to pet his various beloved animals. He had a great wit and thoroughly loved teasing everyone. He was extremely proud of his children and their accomplishments and loved each one of them. He was a born-again Christian and had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

He is survived by his wife, Tamar Haller of Home, KS; two sisters, Cheri Williams (John) of Charleston, South Carolina, and Patti Pfeifley (Rick) of Manhattan, KS. His children: Julie Doyen (Kent) of Riley, KS, Jeffrey Haller (Kathy) of Wamego, KS, Patrick Haller (Connie) of Benton, KS, Dawn Lesperance (Mark) of Lewiston, Idaho, Rebecca Roach (Seth) of Independence, KS, Jesse Haller (Molli) of Paola, KS, and Mathew Haller (Megan) of Ottawa, KS, 18 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren along with, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Wayne and Norma Haller.

Viewing will be from noon until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 17, 2024, with visitation from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 2024, at the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home with Pastor Kevin Larson officiating. Burial will be in the Neuchatel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marysville Union Pacific Depot Preservation Society (MUPDPS). Contributions may be left in care of the Christie-Anderes Funeral Home, P.O. Box 61 Waterville, KS 66508.