Ronald F. Fistler

Ronald F. Fistler, 84, died Monday, April 17, 2023, at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Ronald F. Fistler was born on May 7, 1938, in Mason City, the first son of Fred and Ruth (Harlan) Fistler.  He graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1956, as the class salutatorian.  In 1958, he graduated from NIACC as co-valedictorian.  Ron taught social studies and language arts for nine years at Eagle Grove Community Schools, while earning his Bachelor’s degree at Drake University.

Ron was employed as Supervisor of Instructional Services at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton for 17 years, while earning his Master’s degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Iowa.  Ron then moved to Milwaukee where he became Production Expeditor at the corporate headquarters of Liturgical Publications, Inc., where he also taught classes in Quality Control for new employees.  He retired from LPI in 2001, moving back to the Clear Lake area.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gary and Richard; sister, Judy Rinnels and his partner of 36 years, Richard Wilcox, formerly of Cedar Rapids.

Ron is survived by his sister, Donna Ginther and friend, Bob Butner, of Clear Lake; sister-in-law, Cindy Fistler, of Ventura; nephew, Randy (Laura) Rinnels and their children, Nicholas Rinnels, of Ventura, Jacob (Holly) Rinnels, of St. Paul, Minn., Hilary (Seth) Zrostlik, of Forest City; nephew, Dennis (Barbara) Rinnels, of Clear Lake and their daughter, Alyssa, of Northwood and Ashley (Michael) Augustine, of Victor; as well as cousins, Sandy Harlan Cave and Mikey Harlan Ott, of San Leandro, Calif.

In accordance with Ron’s last wishes, he was cremated and requested no services, asking to be remembered as he was in life.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, is in charge of arrangements.