Ronald J. Bergkessel of Sharpsville, formerly of Sharon, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at 3:51 p.m. Saturday, November 18, 2017, in the emergency room of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 74.

Ron was born April 21, 1943, in Sharon, a son of Joseph and Helen Fendya Bergkessel. He was a lifelong area resident and 1961 graduate of Sharon High School.

After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force, Ron was employed by the former Sharon Transformer Div. of Westinghouse Electric until 1981. He then completed computer programing courses at the former ATES, Niles, OH, and following graduation worked for a short time at Eagle Claw, Denver, Co. Ron ultimately retired in 2011 from Taylor Winfield, Hubbard, OH, where he worked as the I.T. director for 15 years.

An outdoorsman, he particularly loved to fish, but also enjoyed collecting guns and hunting during the fall. He enjoyed spending his free time either on the computer or repairing them. His greatest joy was being surrounded by his family, particularly his four daughters and five grandchildren.

His wife, the former Marilyn K. Harwig, whom he married November 28, 1964, passed away August 31, 2010.

Surviving are: four daughters, Cynthia Heim; Constance "Connie" Bergkessel; Cheryl Yeager and her fiancé Richard Whipple; and Christine (Charles) Wilcox, Jr., all Sharpsville; a sister, Elizabeth (Don) Wike, Brookfield; and five grandchildren, Shawn and Kendra Heim; Lauren Wilcox; Logan and Kyleigh Yeager.

In addition to his wife, Ron was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, JoAnne Sposito; a brother, Robert Bergkessel; a nephew, John Sposito; and a great nephew, A.J. Sposito.

Calling hours will be 1 p.m. until the time of service Wednesday ( 11-22-17 ) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon .

Funeral service will be 3 p.m. , in the funeral home, with Rev. C. Charles Eckles, pastor of I.H.S. Gospel Ministries, Hermitage, officiating.

Interment: America's Cemetery, Hermitage.