Ronald Baerg-Benton, IL

Ronald Gene Baerg, age 86, of Benton, Illinois, passed away at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Franklin Hospital of Benton, Illinois.
Mr. Baerg’s wishes are to be cremated. The Leffler Funeral Home of Benton is in charge of the cremation arrangements.

Ronald was born on August 11, 1940, in Shafter, California, the son of George and Addie Mae “Janice” (Bewley) Baerg. He first married the former Vineta Dunford, and she preceded him in death on February 1, 2017. He would later marry the former Donna Odam and she survives.

He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Thompsonville, Illinois. He volunteered at 3ABN of Thompsonville, to pray with people over the phone. He thoroughly enjoyed helping others by praying with and for them, sometimes he would answer 20 calls per day Monday through Thursday. Besides being with his family, helping others through the prayer line with 3ABN was the most important part of his life. Per Ron’s request, 3ABN was trying to work out the details through Franklin Hospital on how to get him a phone line to be able to continue his ministry of praying for those with their needs in their spiritual and personal lives. While living in Glendale, Arizona he was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church and preached on an Indian Reservation. Through his faith in God, he ministered and traveled to Nigeria and Jerusalem.

His working career as a truck driver had many memorable trips, hauling logs in central and northern California. He also hauled concrete to Phoenix, Arizona during the construction of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball stadium.
Ronald enjoyed owning hot rods, off road jeep riding, racing motorcycles on both flat track and in the desert. He was also a private airplane pilot. He was a loving husband and especially loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who he dearly loved.

Surviving is his wife that he called her “his sweet one” Donna Baerg of Benton, Illinois, children including: Mick Baerg and wife Diana of Columbia, Kentucky, Brendon Baerg and wife Gina of Desert Hills, Arizona, Dr. James Sheppard and wife Audrey of Texas, Bekki Frey and husband Thomas of Tunnel Hill, Illinois, Penny Rich and husband Richard of Goreville, Illinois, Chadwick Ganz of Arizona; grandchildren: Brendon, Brian, Ben “BJ” and wife Ari, Jon, Will, Christina, Dylan, Alijah, Lucas, Zach, Greyson, Annika, Rebekah, Hannah and significant other Darren, Noah and significant other Amber, Alicia and husband Adam, and Charlee; great-grandchildren: Zander, Nicholas, Phoenix, Carter, Everly, Parker, Wrenley, Aspen, Eco and Maverick; a sister Sharon Lane of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; his cats Rudy and Nicky.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and a sister Linda Wilkerson.
A Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Thompsonville, Illinois with Pastor Terry Shelton officiating.

Memorial Contributions, In Loving Memory of Ronald, may be made to Ron and Donna Baerg to assist with final expenses, and may be mailed to 3ABN, C/O Ron and Donna Baerg, P.O. Box 220, West Frankfort, Illinois 62896.

To give condolences to the family online, or to share memories of Ronald, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.