Our loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the age of 86 years.

Ron was born on February 5, 1940, son of the late Milton and Vera (Herman) Unkel, in Detroit.

He was a graduate of Tawas High School, Class of 1958. He later went on to serve in the United States Navy, on the USS Prairie as a Machinist Mate from 1958 to 1962. Ron retired from Wilson Machine after 36 years of dedicated service. Ron was a devoted member of Christ Lutheran Church, Shields. Ron married Carol Claflin June 8, 1990. She survives him.

Ron enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and making his own fishing lures. He enjoyed traveling to other countries and going on cruises with Carol. Ron would take the time to exercise at Sport Zone in Freeland and meet new people. He enjoyed visiting with his former Navy Veterans and was very proud of his service. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.

Ron is survived by his wife, Carol Unkel; children, Ron (Dawn) Unkel, Alecia (Duane) Strobel, John (Samantha) Unkel and step-son, Hal Pryor; grandchildren; Ron E.W. (Elizabeth) Unkel, Jonathan (Breezy) Unkel, Joseph (Kelsey) Waterbury, Nick Kim, Tim Kim, Yoney Kim, Ginger White and Thor White; seven great grandchildren; his first spouse and mother of his children, Vera J. Unkel; brothers, Gerald (Ruth) Unkel and Bryan Unkel; sister, Brenda (Dale) Huff; sister-in-law, Carol J. Unkel; many other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his daughter, Sarah Unkel White and brother, Barry Unkel.

Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at Christ Lutheran Church, 8795 Ederer Road. Pastor Joshua Becker will officiate with burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at W. L. Case and Company Funeral Directors, 201 N. Miller Road and on Thursday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial in Ron’s name to Christ Lutheran Church.