Ronnie L. Bechtol

Ronnie Lee Bechtol, Sr., aged 81, passed away at home on February 27, 2024. He was born January 12, 1943, at Booth Hospital in Detroit, Mich. to John and Betty Jane Bechtol.

After graduating from Garden City High School in 1961 he met his wife of 61 years, Juanita Bragg, during a summer construction job working for his Uncle Pete and the R.E. Dailey Construction Company in Huntington, W.V. in 1962; they were married a year later, June 29, 1963, at the United U.B. Church in Proctorville, Ohio. Together they raised three children.

He went on to work his entire career in commercial construction and was a proud member of Detroit Carpenter’s Union Local 118 for more than 55 years. He was always proud of the buildings he helped to build, which included the Pontiac Silverdome and the Madden Building in Detroit. He finished his career on the new Detroit Veteran’s Hospital, now called the John D. Dingell Medical Center, in 1995. He had a sterling reputation in the Detroit construction community and was considered a mentor by many young men who worked under him in the industry including his son, Ronnie, Jr., who continues in the field today.

He was a hunter from childhood, traveling to Lenawee County for many years where he first developed his love for the area. Later, many November weeks were spent in Atlanta, Mich. at “deer camp” over the years with his son, father, brother, uncles, and cousins. These were very fond memories he talked about for many years. In later years, he and Juanita hosted many rabbit and squirrel hunts at the family farm followed by game dinners complete with gravy.

In 1974, he and Juanita built their first new home in Westland, Mich., with the help of many family members and friends. He was a devoted craftsman and worked with a standard of quality and “doing it right” that carries on through all of his children today. Always willing to help out, he spent many weekends on projects throughout the family over the years building garages, adding on rooms, pouring concrete, replacing roofs, and building one very special treehouse.

In 1978, he realized his dream of owning a farm, settling with his family on their small farm in Tecumseh where he and Juanita would live for the next 45 years.

He enjoyed a long retirement and loved the many years of camping, especially family reunion campouts and traveling around Michigan that he and Juanita shared. They took the trip of a lifetime with in-laws Carroll and Becky Bragg, traveling with a camper up to Alaska, back down through California, and visiting many states before returning home.

Fishing trips with family members were another favorite. He loved history and enjoyed stopping at historical locations and following the paths of former railroad tracks. Long car rides looking for turkeys and squirrels were a regular outing. 

 
Many treasured hours were spent sitting in the porch swing with Juanita and enjoying coffee while watching for bluebirds and deer.

He was very proud of his grandsons and was a regular fixture with Juanita at their sporting events for many years. The boys were one of the lights of his life. He treasured family, most of all his beloved wife Juanita.

Ronnie is survived by his wife of 61 years, Juanita (Bragg) Bechtol; son, Ronnie, Jr. (Tina) Bechtol; daughters, Angela Walch and Jennifer Bechtol; and grand-dog Hugo. He had five beloved grandsons, Deon (Heather) Tripp, Justin (Angie) Tripp, Ronnie (Becky) Bechtol III, RJ Walch, and Gabriel Bechtol; and seven great-grandchildren, Nathan, Shaylinn, Katelyn, Trent, Gavin, Gauge, and Remi.

Also surviving are his sisters, Elizabeth Bechtol, Donna Favor, and Judith Dunn; brother, John (Janie) Bechtol; and special nephew, Michael (Frankie) Favor. He had many treasured cousins, nieces, and nephews. He leaves behind a legacy of love and family, and his memory will be cherished always.

Services will be Saturday, March 2 at 11 a.m. at Handler Funeral Home in Tecumseh with visitation on Friday, March 1 from 3-8 p.m., and on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. before the service. Burial will be at Brookside Cemetery in Tecumseh.