AMBOY — Ronald L. Biester, 79, of Amboy, died Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 at Dixon Health Care and Rehabilitation. He was born April 14, 1937 in Sublette the son of Theodore W. and Catherine M. (Cotter) Biester.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, at the Mihm-Jones Funeral Home, in Amboy, with the Rev. Bradley Linboom officiating. Burial will follow in St Patrick Cemetery in Amboy. Visitation will be held from 2 – 5 p.m., on Sunday at the funeral home.

Ron was a 1955 graduate of Amboy High School. In 1969 he took the position as head custodian for the new Amboy High School. He also drove a school bus. He retired in 1995. He then worked part time at Home Hardware in Amboy. He had also worked for IDOT, Raynor, Dickinson Hardware and Penhollow Electric.

Ron served on the Amboy City Council for eight years. In 1979, during the city's 125th anniversary, he was instrumental in obtaining, from Carson, Pirie, Scott, the plaque that is displayed at the Long Branch Saloon.

Ron also served on the Amboy Park Board, and volunteered during the rehabilitation of the Amboy Depot Museum. He refinished the 19 floors in the depot and those in the Freight House and the School.

He was a member of the Lee County Democrats, a former member of the KC's and the Lion's Club. He was an avid Minnesota Vikings and White Sox fan. He was thrilled to be in attendance when his friend Bill Brown, was inducted into the Vikings Ring of Honor in 2005. He loved to make crafts, camp and travel.

For many years, Ron made it to the Amboy Family Restaurant at 5 a.m., to have coffee and visit with other early risers. The past few years, after many illnesses, he spent a lot of time on his front porch visiting with his best friends, John Leffelman and Bill Leammel and many others who happened by.

Ron married Carol A. Hoyle on Oct. 17, 1964, at St Patrick Catholic Church in Amboy.

He is survived by his wife; daughters, Bridget (Curt) Daniels, of Amboy, and Brenda (Todd Barna) Coffey, of Dixon; special niece, Sherilyn (Jason Wilhite) Hoyle, of Amboy; grandsons, Taylor (Julie Wiersema) Daniels and Dillon Daniels, step grandson, David Coffey; step great-grandchildren Aydin and Elyse Coffey; sister, Carol (Roger) Linboom, of Dixon; brothers-in-law, Doug Hoyle, Ron (Kalah) Hoyle; sister-in-law, Diana Hoyle; and numerous nieces and nephews that meant a lot to him.

Ron's grandsons have been the light of his life. He is extremely proud of their character, and service to their community. He is also very proud of his daughters and niece who are caring, strong, hardworking, compassionate women.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law, Tim Coffey; brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Ellen Hoyle; niece Becki Hoyle; and nephew Wayne Hoyle.

A memorial has been established.  Condolences may be sent online at www.thejonesfh.com.