Ronald L. Shilling

Forestport - Ronald L. Shilling, Sr., 51, of South Road West, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2011, after a long illness. Ronald was born in Butler, PA on July 12, 1959, a son of Alvin O. and Shirley (Bush) Shilling. As a youth he moved to Whitesboro where he graduated from Whitesboro High School. After his education he served his country in the U.S. Army from 1979 until his honorable discharge at the rank of Corporal in 1984. While in the service, he was a diesel generator mechanic stationed in Ft. Lee, VA and Germany. Following the military he was employed as a roofer for Continental Roofing Co. of Utica, and then as a truck driver for Mohawk Valley Oil Co. in Marcy and Boonville prior to his disability. On January 21, 1984, Ronald was united in marriage with Hellen Z. Sarus at Historic Old St. John's Church, Utica. The couple made their home in Whitesboro and Remsen, before moving to Snow Bird Lake in Forestport many years ago. He was of the Catholic faith, and greatly enjoyed hunting, fishing and motorcycle riding. In addition to his wife, Hellen, he is survived by his mother, Shirley Shilling (Dominic) Testa of Utica; four sons and three daughters-in-law, Ronald, Jr., of Forestport, Jason and Jill of West Leyden, Sandor and Dana of Richmond, VA, (triplets) and Daniel and Caitlin of Canastota; five grandchildren, Gracie Marie, Kaden, Ashton Gunner, Sandor Hunter, and Aidan Charles. At the present time, Ronald was eagerly anticipating the birth of his sixth grandchild to be named Anna Belle Jo. He is also survived by three brothers, Rich of Frankfort, Jimmy of North Utica, and Randy of Mayfield, AZ; and one sister, Carleen Klumbach of Clark Mills. His Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, March 26, 2011, at noon at St. Patrick's Church, Forestport, where Rev. Sean Patrick O'Brien, pastor will officiate. A spring interment with military honors will be in the spring in Beechwood Cemetery, Forestport. Visitation is Friday 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dialysis Unit of Faxton-St. Luke's HealthCare, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica, New York, 13502, Attn: Dialysis Unit. Please use the "Sign Guestbook" link below to leave an online message of sympathy or to share a memory of Ronald.