A life that demonstrated God’s mercy and grace was completed January 13, 2021, with the passing of long-time Norton resident Rev. Ronald T. “Ron” Scheimo, age 88.
Ron was born February 7, 1932 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Burton and Gladys (Ries) Scheimo. In 1948, Ron went to work at Sears Roebuck on a school work program. It was there he met the love of his life, Sylvia Olson. In July of 1949, Ronald joined the Marine Corps Reserve. On November 19, 1949, Ron and Sylvia were married. In June of 1950, Ron was called to active duty, due to the Korean War. Because of the requirements of the military, Sylvia and Ron had to make temporary homes not only in Minneapolis, but later in Santa Ana, California and Memphis Tennessee. Following the war and Ron’s discharge, they established their home in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Four children were born to Sylvia and Ron, including Thomas, Deborah, Nancy and Audrey.
Ron’s home life while growing up was marked by family turmoil, with his parents divorcing around 1944. Ron often remarked his life “would make a black mark on tar paper”. However, while he was in the Marine Corps, during the Korean War, he listened to a radio sermon by Charles Fuller, and realized his own sinful condition and inability to ever be good enough to earn his way into Heaven. Believing the teaching of The Bible, Ron repented of his sins, gave his life to God and trusted God to cover him with the righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ, since Ron did not have any righteousness of his own. At that point in his life, Ron started being radically transformed by God’s grace and mercy, a process that continued all of his life. After Ron’s discharge from the Marines, he enrolled in North Central Bible College in Minneapolis, graduating in 1955.
Responding to Romans 12:1, Ron realized he had a call from God to enter the ministry. The rest of his life was marked by serving as pastor in various churches, including Cornerstone Church in Norton. In the mid-1960’s Ron took the lead in constructing and finishing a new church building in Norton. Other cities Ron ministered at include Bloomington, MN; Goodland, KS; Hays, KS; Lakewood, CO; Levant, KS; Flagler, CO; Beaver City, NE and Smith Center, KS. He also served as an interim pastor in Lenora, KS. A major project Ron took a lead in was the construction and finishing work of the big lodge at Tremont Bible Camp in Colorado, during the period from the mid-1960’s to the mid-1970’s.
From 1977 to 1980, Ron served as the Associate Dean at Calvary Bible College in Minneapolis, MN. During this time, he also served as a Minneapolis city police chaplain. For many years, Ron held the position of Secretary-Treasurer of the Evangelistic Missionary Fellowship, also serving as their president 1987-1993. During this era of his life, he also was a member on the board of directors of the National Association of Evangelicals, plus serving with the American Bible Society for three years. The range of travels in all these responsibilities took Ron from Alaska to Portugal, and many points in between.
For anyone who knew Ron during his troubled youth, this was a remarkable turn-around that could only have been accomplished by God working in his life. Ron liked to encourage people he met to know the peace which follows when a person really turns their life over to Jesus.
While sharing the good news of the Bible was his life’s work, Ron also enjoyed spending time with his wife Sylvia, his children, his grandchildren and on one rare and special occasion, his great-granddaughter who lives overseas. Ron and Sylvia loved to sing and always looked forward to being a part of a variety of musical arrangements. Ron loved singing in area barbershop quartets and choirs. Hospitality was important to Ron and Sylvia, and they hosted many guests within their home throughout 71 years of marriage.
Ron is survived by son Tom and his wife Hope (Warn) Scheimo, daughter Debbie (Scheimo) and her husband Sam Pessoa, son-in-law Del Stewart, grandchildren Eric & EunHee (Shin) Scheimo, Sarah Scheimo, Justin Scheimo, Daniel Pessoa, Beth (Pessoa) & Matt Asselin, Kristin Stewart and great-granddaughter Julia Scheimo. Ron was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia, his parents, his daughters Nancy (Scheimo) Stewart and Audrey Scheimo, brother Richard and sister Marilyn (Scheimo) Oakvik.
Family members will meet for a private small memorial service at a future date. Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel in Phillipsburg is in charge of the final arrangements. Interment will be at the Veterans Cemetery in Wakeeney, Kansas, at a future date. Memorials may be made to South Africa Evangelistic Mission, P.O. Box 851, Hudson, WI 54016.