Ronald Edward Szelist, 74, died unexpectedly in the early hours of July 27 at Cypress
Village Rehab facility in Jacksonville, Florida. Ron, as all his family and friends knew
him, was born to the late Louis J. and Nancy P. Szelist in Arlington, Virginia in 1947. He
attended Florida Institute of Technology, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha
Fraternity. Following graduation, he began work with Lockheed Martin as an aerospace
engineer and retired from the company after 42 years of loyal service.

He married the love of his life, Jane C. Pettijohn, on December 14, 1968. Ron and Jane
lived in various Lockheed communities around the country before settling in St. Marys
in 1986. The couple enjoyed traveling together around the United States and overseas.

A faithful, committed Christian, Ron was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, serving
many rotations and years on its vestry, playing the trumpet in its music ministry, and
serving as a prayer counselor. Special in Ron's life was his ongoing relationship with
Renewal in Christ Ministries. He served in many capacities with RICM, in addition to
praying with people from numerous states and the Netherlands as RICM traveled.

Ron was active in the larger community through his work with Kiwanis. All those who
knew him counted on his presence, quiet cheerfulness and his willingness to stay as late
as it took to make Kiwanis-sponsored festivals successful. For years, it was Ron behind
the wheel of the Toonerville Trolley in July 4 th parades. He also played trumpet in the
Camden County Community Band for many, many years, and he volunteered for
Habitat for Humanity. In all of these endeavors, Ron's faith was like that of St. Francis
of Assisi, who once said, "Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary, use words."

Ron was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother-in-law, James Earl
"Jimmy" Pettijohn.

Ron is survived by Jane, his wife of 52 years, his daughters Tina Higginbotham (John),
Victoria Caruso-Messina (Nick) and five grandchildren: Larry Caruso, Josey
Higginbotham, Louis, Elijah, and Ariana Messina. He is also survived by his sister Marti S. Fontenrose (Richard)

and nephews Gary and Kevin Toothman, Dan Gloger, Jr., Paul Fontenrose, and nieces Amy Fulmer and Michelle Suling.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, August 2nd at Allison Memorial Chapel.
A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3rd at Christ Episcopal Church, St.
Marys with Rev. Canon Dedra Bell-Wolski celebrating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Larry Caruso, Louis and Elijah Messina, John Higginbotham, Nick
Messina, Kevin Toothman, Dan Gloger, Jr., and Tom Fulmer.

Honorary pallbearers were Tom Stafford, Ralph Pierce, Robert Shad, Jr., Dan Gloger,
Sr., Richard Fontenrose, Scott Penrod, Regis Dornick, Mick Dornick, the Kiwanis Club
of St. Marys, the Camden County Supper Club, and the Camden County Community
Band.

Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.