Ronald Roy Schalow

Ronald Roy Schalow was called home to be with his Lord, passing away comfortably on June 24, 2025, at the House of the Dove by Compassus in Marshfield, WI, due to natural causes related to heart failure.

He was born July 13, 1932, in Marshfield, WI, to Howard Schalow, Sr and Marie Schalow (nee Schallock). He was the second youngest of four children. The family survived exceedingly difficult financial times during The Great Depression, even losing the family farm to foreclosure and having to rely on family and friends for financial and housing support. This experience strengthened and influenced him for the rest of his life.

He graduated from Marshfield Senior High School in 1950 and subsequently enlisted in the Unites States Navy in January 1951, serving 33 months active duty and an additional 6 years in the reserves, rising to the rank of Seaman E3. He served primarily in the Mediterranean aboard an aircraft carrier and a destroyer. The brotherhood and friendships from his naval duty lasted a lifetime with many vacations and social trips enjoyed over the years including ship reunions.

While on leave, he married his high school sweetheart, Cydelle Ann Stecker, on 03/25/1952. Upon completing his enlistment, he and Cydelle settled in Marshfield, WI. He spent many years employed by Clover Cream Dairy, primarily delivering milk/cream to residents of Marshfield and the surrounding area. Low back issues in the late 1960s forced him to switch to being a car salesperson with Wheeler Chevrolet. He always wanted to be his own boss and in the early 1980s, working with Paul Bohman, he opened a one-man dry-cleaning business, located in the Five Corners Laundry and Dry-Cleaning building and developed that business with hard work, perseverance, and great customer service, and ultimately retired in the mid-1990s.

Ron and Cydelle were blessed with the birth of their only child, daughter Sarah Ann, on April 30, 1961.

When he was not working, Ron was an avid sports fan. He played on many slow pitch softball teams, often with young Sarah in tow. An avid golfer, he was regularly active in the golf leagues at Marshfield Country Club. A lifelong Packer fan, he and a relative became Packer season ticket holders and started going to the Milwaukee Packer games when they were at State Fair Park and then to Milwaukee County Stadium. To this day, Ron and Sarah would “dissect” the results of each game at their conclusion.

He and Cydelle were lifelong members of Christ Lutheran Church. He served the congregation by singing in the Choir with his family and actively involved with church matters including the Board of Elders and even serving as congregational president.

His greatest joy came from his extended family. From actively attending Sarah’s high school and college tennis meets/tournaments to making a concerted effort to travel to the various athletic and school activities of his grandchildren. He was always incredibly supportive but was “old school” and was famous for telling them to “get better” when the outcome wasn’t always positive. He and Cydelle rarely missed a family reunion, whether it was a Schalow, Shallock, Grube, or Stecker event.

When Cydelle’s health was adversely affected by Alzheimer’s disease, he lived and breathed by his wedding vow of “in sickness and in health,” and became her primary caregiver from 1995 until her death in April 2005.

In 2018, Ron and Lorraine Moran, the widow of his old shipmate, developed a very loving and supportive friendship and courtship, spending as much time together as they could. Lorraine has remained at his side, especially in the past two years with the ever-increasing health issues that affected him.

Family and friends fondly remember him as a true gentleman who exuberated inner strength, kindness, honesty, integrity, love, and a work ethic second to none. He would give you the shirt off his back and always had time for anyone that needed it. Up until the last 6 weeks of his life, he insisted on managing not only his lawn but neighbors’ as well in the summer and snow removal in the winter.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Marie Schalow; as well as his siblings, Howard Schalow, Jr, Lyle Schalow, and Dorothy Kroll (Mannigal); and nephew, Jay Schalow.

He is survived by his daughter, Sarah Ann Hardacre (Jerry M. Hardacre, II MD); and grandchildren, Jenna Marie Hardacre, Jerry (Jay) M. Hardacre, III (Rosi Hardacre), and Jesse M. Hardacre; as well as nieces, Janelle Bassler, Susette Metz, Chris Schalow, and Ann Schalow-Dreske; and nephews, Doug Schalow, Robert Schalow, James Schalow, and Jon Schalow.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff and providers at the Marshfield Clinic Health System as well as the staff at Compassus Hospice and the House of the Dove for their service excellence and compassion. The family thanks next door neighbor, Guy Langfeldt and family, for their friendship, selflessness, and willingness to help at any time over the past 60 years. The family would also like to recognize the undivided love, support, and compassion of Susette and Paul Metz who were immensely helpful in the care and needs of Ron in his final years.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM at Christ Lutheran Church, 1208 W. 14th St, Marshfield, WI, on Monday, July 14, 2025. Visitation with family and friends will begin at 10:00 AM, also at the church. Christian burial with military honors will be held privately with family at Hillside Cemetery, Marshfield, WI. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be directed to Christ Lutheran Church. Funeral arrangements are coordinated through Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation Center.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ronald Roy Schalow, please visit our floral store.