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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | MAY 2021 | 65 Friends we will miss Ronald Thacker passed away on February 28, 2021 at the age of 86. He was born on March, 1934 in Sioux City, Iowa, to Carl and Violet Thacker. He leaves Anita, his loving wife of 61 years, and four children, Cindy Ochoa, Lisa Thomas, Douglas Thacker, and Carey Pavone, their spouses, 12 grandchildren, eight great- grandchildren and one sister, Virgina Hills. He was preceded in death by his parents. Ron's family lived in the Long Beach area during WWII, his father worked in the shipyards and Ron attended the Mount Lowe Military Academy in Arcadia. After the war, they moved back to Sioux City. Ron graduated from high school in Jefferson, South Dakota, and from the University of South Dakota in 1958. He interrupted college to serve in the Marines for three years where he was a radio operator. He was stationed in California and Japan. Ron and Anita were married in 1959 and about the same time he started his career with the State Farm Insurance company, first as an adjuster and then as a claim Superintendent. He was with the company for 36 years, retiring in 1995. He worked in Spencer, IA, for four years then transferred to Riverside, CA where they raised their family. He worked in San Bernardino, Riverside, and Moreno Valley. Ron was a life member of the Amateur Trapshooting Association, learning to shoot at a very young age. He won the All-American Championship at the age of 16. In his later years, he no longer competed but still enjoyed shooting. In 1992, Ron and Anita retired to Sun Lakes and joined the golfing community, both being avid golfers. They also enjoyed traveling in their motorhome. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Larry Lee Swartzendruber, 80, passed away February 6, 2021. He was born in Pigeon, Michigan on December 18, 1940. He was the first son of Omar D Sr. and Arlene J. Swartzendruber. Other than his college days in Goshen, Indiana and two service years in Colorado, he resided in the Southern California area. In 1994, he married the love of his life, Julie Besteeter, who preceded him in death in January of 2017. After living a few years in Ontario, CA, they bought a home and lived their final years in Sun Lakes. He claimed the only thing they argued over was who loved the other the most. Larry was an avid lover of most sports but his main devotion was fast pitch softball. Despite having polio in his teen years, he became a premier pitcher in the open league division. He also was a personal coach for numerous college softball players. His greatest reward was seeing others succeed in their playing skills. Larry was also a lover of music, mainly Gospel. He was a Baritone/Bass singer in a variety of choirs, quartets, and a soloist. He recorded one of his songs, "Big Government," under the 'code name" Bobbie Lee. His faith in Christ was his anchor pulling him through the challenges of polio, the loss of Julie, and life as a whole. If you were open to hearing the "Good News," he was ready to share it. He is survived by his sister Jane Swartzendruber and his brother, Omar Swartzendruber II. His other sisters Shirley Guengerich and Joanee Larson preceded him in death. The light on earth is just a little dimmer with his passing. A celebration of Larry's life will be at a later date.

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