Ronald Richard Kempton

Ronald R. Kempton, 86, of Chillicothe, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2026 at Adena Regional Medical Center.

Ronald was born on October 18, 1939, the first born to the late Lloyd and Rosa (Adams) Kempton, in Ross County. He is survived by his loving wife, Sylvia S. (Lusk), of 65 years; daughter Terry (John) Doherty, Brecksville, Ohio, grandchildren James and Rose; son Michael, Chillicothe, Ohio, granddaughter Lindsey, great-grandchildren Landyn, Quentin, Levi, and DeMari; two brothers survive, Russell (Donna), Chillicothe, Ohio, their children, John, Jodee and families; brother Kenneth (Gretchen), Chillicothe, Ohio, his children, Chad, Craig, and Casey and families. Ron is predeceased by cousin, Rose Marie Bacus, who grew up with his family. Ron is also survived by brothers-in-law, Stan Lusk (Lorna) of San Antonio, Texas, Mark Lusk, Columbus, Ohio and sister-in-law, Janet Miner (Gary, dec), Jacksonville, NC, and their children, Suzanne, Julie, Gary and families. He has many extended family and friends in the area, being a lifelong resident of Ross County.

As an infant, Ronald Robert Kempton was entered into God’s care in the Cradle Roll at United Brethren Church of Colerain, Ross County. As a youth in Kingston, he worked in the fields of local farms, delivered newspapers from his bicycle and worked at the Red & White grocery store. He was on the high school basketball team and graduated from Kingston High School in 1959. He was employed by the Mead Corporation as a lab analyst and retired after 42 years.

Ron was a hardworking and easy-going man; one of the most laid-back people you would ever meet. He loved being surrounded by family and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. Ron took pleasure in nature walks and we grew up exploring the trails of southern Ohio. He enjoyed gardening and raising vegetables and flowers. He would look at the plants and they would grow! He loved watching and playing golf and had a birdie at age 83! He was an avid reader, and he especially liked westerns and old cowboy movies. He also enjoyed listening to music. The family delightfully expected to watch re-runs of the Lawrence Welk show on Saturday evenings.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at the Haller Funeral Home. Burial at Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Kingston, Ohio will immediately follow. Friends may join the family for visitation from 10:00am until the time of the service. Memorial contributions can be made in Ronald’s honor to an organization of the donor’s choice to care for their own immediate family. The beauty and nature of God’s given wildflowers and bird song will be enough of a remembrance of his time on this earth.