Ronald L. Stopperich

November 1, 1935 - April 26, 2025

Ronald (“Ron”) L. Stopperich, 89, of Bradenton, Florida, peacefully passed away into the arms of Jesus, with his loving daughter (Christine Garber), son-in-law (Gary Garber) & granddogs Mario & Miska, at his side in their home in Washington, PA, in the morning of Saturday, April 26, 2025.  He was born on November 1, 1935, in Canonsburg, PA, a son of Herbert Stopperich and Christine Hardy Stopperich. 

Ron ran track and wrestled for Chartiers and Canon McMillan School Districts and worked as a golf caddy in high school for various golf courses.  He graduated from Canon McMillan High School in 1954, and after graduation, he proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer & also as a Paratrooper in the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division during the Korean War from 1954-1957.  Thereafter, Ron worked as a draftsman for Fort Pitt Bridge Works in Canonsburg, PA; an insurance salesman for various companies; owned his own restaurant in Canonsburg, PA, specializing in “broasted chicken”; and also worked at McGraw Edison (Coopers Industries) for several years as a shell-winder.  After the Canonsburg plant of McGraw Edison/Coopers closed in 1993, Ron moved to Florida and worked at Magnetek, and lastly, General Electric (GE), where he worked until his retirement.  Also, because of his love of cooking, Ron became a chef and worked several functions in the Sarasota, Florida area.

Ron loved gardening, planting flowers, cooking, spending time with his daughter, entertaining friends & family, watching westerns & WWII movies, and especially loved dancing!  He and his first wife, Libby, both loved dancing and would “cut a rug” over the years.  In Pennsylvania & Florida, Ron was a member of the American Legion, Elks, Moose, SNPJ & German American Club. He and his second wife, Sue, loved to Polka, and they attended several dances at various clubs in Pennsylvania & Florida, went on Polka cruises, polka bus tours, and traveled to Germany, Bavaria, Poland and Slovenia.  Ron always dressed sharply for any occasion, whether it was for a dance, dinner, or otherwise.  Everyone who knew him say that Ron was such a "gentleman who always wore a smile"!  He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

Ron volunteered his time by serving on the board of his homeowner’s association, as well as preparing and serving food at yearly Oktoberfest festivities at his local clubs.  Ron made sure when he was visiting home that he would attend Canonsburg's yearly Oktoberfest.  Without fail, every Saturday, Ron would listen to his favorite Polka band, Jack Tady & the Tady Bears, of Cheswick, Pennsylvania, on Jack’s weekly Saturday broadcast.  From time to time, his friend Jack would announce on his show that he was dedicating a song to Ron and called it “The Stopperich Polka”, which Ron absolutely loved!  Ron and his loving companion, Mary Ilcyn, attended Polka dances, picnics, and dinners at various clubs.  Mary was an amazing cook of various German dishes, and she and Ron greatly loved their time together attending dances, picnics, movies, and listening to polka & German music.

Surviving is his adoring daughter, Christine Stopperich Garber,  son-in-law Gary Garber & granddogs Mario and Miska Garber, of Washington, PA; stepdaughter Darlene (Bob) Mahan of Washington, PA; granddaughter Amy Mahan (Greg) Ross of Strabane, PA; grandson Robert (Brenda) Mahan of Washington, PA; brother Robert (Cookie) Stopperich of Canonsburg, PA; brother Richard (Carol) Stopperich of Canonsburg, PA; sister-in-law Ellen DeMarino Stopperich of Canonsburg, PA; loving companion Mary Ilcyn of Sarasota, Florida; several nieces, nephews, great nieces & nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth (“Libby”) A. Stopperich; 2nd wife, Sue Stopperich; brother James Stopperich; brother Barry Stopperich; brother Johnny Stopperich and sister Linda Stopperich Dix.

In lieu of funeral services at Warco-Falvo Funeral Home, Inc., Washington, PA, there will be a CELEBRATION OF LIFE service for family and friends to be held in Ron’s memory on his 90th birthday, at the North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, at 565 Sylvan Drive, Washington, Pennsylvania 15301, on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with a catered luncheon directly following the memorial service.  Condolences may be expressed at www.WarcoFalvoFuneralHome.com