Ronald Dean “Ron” Bales

Celebration of Life Services:
Monday, June 4, 2018
10:30 AM
Holy Rosary Church
24116 Marian Avenue
Glenwood, Iowa 51534

Ronald Dean “Ron” Bales, 86 of Glenwood, Iowa passed away on May 31, 2018 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was born on a farm on January 29, 1932 in Clarinda, Iowa to Clifford Darrell and Florabelle Blanche (Bailey) Bales. Ron attended country schools in Braddyville Iowa and excelled in baseball, basketball and pole vaulting in track. During summers Ron worked on farms around the area and spent many hours fishing with his dad and buddies.  Following high school graduation he enlisted in the US Air Force in 1950 and served 4 years during the Korean Conflict. He was united in marriage to Betty Jane Tobin on February 28, 1959 in Braddyville. Two children were born of this union- Roni and Tony.

Ron earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education Administration from Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Missouri and went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Secondary Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He taught and coached in Tabor Iowa going on to become the high school principal there. In 1965 and he was hired as the Assistant Superintendent of the Glenwood State Hospital School and was employed there for the next 26 years until his retirement.

Ron was a member of the American Legion, Rotary and Optimist Clubs, Tabor Volunteer Fire Department and the Glenwood Chamber of Commerce.  He was elected to the Glenwood City Council and served 34 years with 15 years as the council president and mayor pro tem. Ron was past president of Glenwood Golf Course Board of Directors. He was a member at Common Ground Ministry in Glenwood. Ron loved golfing, hunting, playing cards and cribbage and spending time with his family and friends. His quick wit, humor and tenacity will be remembered by all who knew Ron.

Preceding Ron in passing were his parents, wife, Betty and sister, JoAnn Kenagy Moore. Survivors include children, Roni (Joe) Score and Tony (Wendy) Bales all of Glenwood, Iowa; 7 grandchildren, Amber (Matt) Dyer; Tyler McCreary; Kenzie (Daniel) Meggison; Sarah Score; Noa Bales; Isaac Bales; Eli Bales and Silas Bales; 3 great-grandchildren, Brock Dyer, Marla Dyer and Miller Meggison; brother, Roger Bales of Wichita, Kansas; sister-in-law, Kathy (Chuck) Douglass of Tabor, Iowa; extended relatives and many friends.

Interment Glenwood Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the Glenwood Golf Course.