Ronald "Ron" Adkins

Funeral services for Ronald James Adkins, 72, of Iron will be 11 am Tuesday, June 5, 2018 at Faith United Lutheran Church in Iron with Pastors Jim Raisanen and Glenn Marten officiating. A visitation will be held from 5-7 pm Monday at the church and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Military honors will be accorded by the ARNG Military Funeral Honors Program. Inurnment will be in the Cherry Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home of Gilbert. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers. Ron died Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Duluth after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born on June 17, 1945 to James and Appalonia (Barten) Adkins in Grand Rapids, MN. He grew up and attended school in Grand Rapids, graduating from the Grand Rapids High School, Class of 1964. Following school, Ron entered the US Army 101st Airborne serving during the Vietnam War. Upon returning home, Ron was united in marriage to Colleen Loy Johnson on August 10, 1968 in Cohasset. The couple made their home in Iron where Ron owned and operated Cherry River Farms alongside with his sons and grandsons. Ron was employed by US Steel-Minntac as a diesel mechanic until his retirement after 32 years of service. Ron was a former officer for Disabled American Veterans of Hibbing. He was also a member of the Cherry Fire Department, the Cherry-Clinton Cemetery Association, St. Louis Valley Livestock Association, and the Vietnam Veterans Support Group through the Veterans Center in Duluth. Ron’s greatest passion was farming. He also enjoyed visiting with family and friends and deer hunting. He took the greatest pleasure in his grandchildren, especially attending their rodeos and school sports and activities. Survivors include his wife of 49 years: Colleen; two sons: Bradley (Tara Persons) Adkins of Eveleth and Loy (Mindy) Adkins of Iron; grandchildren: Abre, Macey, Shelby, Rowdy, and Gunnar; one great-granddaughter, Skylar; nine siblings: Irene Wendt, JoAnne (William) Rancourt, Peter (Jeanne) Adkins, Linda and Betty Scepurek; James Adkins, Dennis Adkins, Ralph Adkins, and Roger (Diane) Adkins; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by one brother, John Adkins; father and mother in-law: Lloyd and Doris Johnson; and his parents: James and Appalonia Adkins.