Ronald David Roberts |
| 4/11/2023 |
Ronald David Roberts, 85, died April 11, 2023 at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.
He was born February 16, 1938 in Milton, West Virginia, and raised in Anderson, Indiana. He was the son of Dennis Roberts and Dola (Collins) Roberts Givens.
Ronnie joined the Air Force straight from Anderson High School. He loved working for the railroad, but then became interested in building, painting and driving stockcars at Sun Valley Speedway in Anderson, Indiana. A lot of people knew him back in the 60's as number 88 at the Sun Valley. He and his friends tore up the track every weekend, and he won multiple trophies.
In 1969, he moved to Melbourne, Florida and continued with his passion for cars and worked as one of the best paint and body men around. In 1977, he moved back to Anderson, Indiana with his two youngest daughters and raised them as a single parent. He managed Heckaman Buick teaching his craft to his body shop team. In 1982, he started his own business called, Ron's Auto Body. He retired in 2012.
He is survived by his three daughters, Rhonda Roberts Key of Chesterfield, Rebecca Roberts Brown of Indianapolis, Melissa K. Roberts Hart of Anderson; two sisters, Betty Roberts Parkhurst and Janet Givens Castor; thirteen grandchildren, Breck Adams, Ashley Adams-Mercer, David Adams, Jr., Amber Waymire, Derek Otto, Evan Key, Michelle Fuller, Erica Brown, Victoria Brown, Clarissa Hart, Thomas Hart, Johnathan Hart-Davis, Matthew Hart-Crisler; 27 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father and step-father, James Givens; sister, Frances Roberts Horton, daughter, Sheri Ogle-Adams; nephew, Dennis Parkhurst; great-grandchildren, Camren Mercer and Kinsley Mercer.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023 at Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service with Kent Stookey officiating. Burial will follow at East Maplewood Cemetery.
Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the funeral service.
Memorial contributions may be given to Salvation Army.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.