Wanda June Ronan, age 86, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, December 8, 2021, at home surrounded by her family.
Born July 19, 1935, in Richmond, Indiana, to Leslie Raymond and Violet Hawkins Nelson, Wanda was a life-long resident of this community. She graduated from Richmond High School. In 1963, Wanda went to work as a teller at Second National Bank and advanced to Assistant Vice-President. During that time, she also became the first chairperson for the Rose City Ambassadors of the Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1978, Wanda joined her husband in his service station business and, in 1980, they built Ronan’s Auto Center. In that same year, Wanda was elected to the Board of Directors of the Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1986, she was elected to the office of Wayne County Assessor and served in that position for 16 years. During that time, Wanda was named Outstanding County Assessor in 1984 by the Association of Indiana Counties. She was also involved in the formation of the Wayne County Assessment Office in 1997. Serving on the County Assessors’ legislative committee, Wanda lobbied extensively for the repeal of the law which required the County Assessor to inventory safe deposit boxes and, with the help of the State Legislature, was successful.
Survivors include her son, Tom (Lynn) Ronan and grandchildren, Alex and Christian Ronan, all of Orlando, Florida, and daughter, Jo Ellen (Jay) Ronan Cockroft of Pipe Creek, Texas, and grandsons, Jayson (Vanessa) Cockroft of Austin, Texas, and Jonathan (Kristy) Cockroft of North Zulch, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Darrell Charles Ronan, who died November 9, 2021, and parents.
Graveside service honoring both Wanda June Ronan and Darrell Charles Ronan will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 13, 2021, at Earlham Cemetery, 1101 National Road West, Richmond. Arrangements are being handled by Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond.
Memorial contributions may be made to: Help the Animals, Inc., P.O. Box 117, Richmond, IN 47375.
Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.