Phillip “Ron” Wolvin

Obituary

Phillip “Ron” Wolvin

Oct. 13, 1936 - Jan. 3, 2025

McCOOK, Neb. - Phillip “Ron” Wolvin age 88, died Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Neb.

Ron was born on Oct. 13, 1936, at Seward to Roland Odell and Martha Winifred (Kinnamon) Wolvin. He grew up on a farm west of Seward.

Ron’s early education was in one-room schools and Utica Public Schools. His mother chose to enroll her children in the Seward Public School system at the junior high level because of their very good music programs. She had been driving them to Lincoln each week for private music lessons for several years. Ron was active in both vocal and instrumental music as a member of the mixed chorus, boy’s octet, and The Downbeats, a show choir of both boys and girls. He also played saxophone in a family orchestra, in the Seward High School Band, the Seward City Band, and the O. K. Jones Polka Band He graduated from Seward High School in 1955. Ron was united in marriage to Lucille Arnold on Sept. 2, 1956, at Seward, Neb.

He attended Doane College and then Nebraska Wesleyan University, graduating in 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in education. Ron played football in college and lettered at both Doane and Wesleyan. While at Wesleyan, he was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an educational honorary fraternity.

In 1967, he received his master-of-science degree in industrial arts education from Kansas State College of Pittsburg.

Ron began his teaching career in 1960 in Collbran, Colo. where he taught junior and senior high industrial arts and coached all sports for four years. In 1964, the family moved to Ogallala where Ron was employed by the Ogallala Public Schools. He taught woodworking, electronics, architectural drafting, and computers in both the junior and senior high school for 32 years until his retirement in 1996. Ron also taught night classes for Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte.

He was a member of the Ogallala Educational Association and the Nebraska State Educational Association; served on the Ogallala Curriculum Coordinating Council from 1990-92 and was a participant in an educator orientation visit to the naval training facilities at the U. S. Naval Training Center in San Diego, Calif. in 1985. Ron joined the U. S. Navy while a senior in high school and served in the reserves for eight years until 1963 when he received his discharge.

He was a member of several organizations over the years and devoted many volunteer hours to community improvement after his retirement. Ron was appointed by Gov. Mike Johanns to his Council to Keep Nebraska Beautiful where he served from 1999-2002. He served as chairman of the Ogallala Tree Board from 1986-93 and received the 1993 City of Ogallala Arbor Day Award.

Ron was an active member of the Big Mac Kiwanis Club, Keith County Historical Society, Keep Keith County Beautiful, Ogallala Main Street, Ogallala Garden Club, and RSVP. He worked in the summers for the Ogallala City Parks Department and was presented the City of Ogallala Distinguished Service Award in 1986 for his 17 years of employment. Other recognition he received was the Outstanding Educator Award in 1995, the 2003 Chamber of Commerce Trail Blazer Achievement Award, in memory of Murl Morrow, the 2008 Ak-Sar-Ben Good Neighbor Citation, the Robert Lute II Memorial Ambassador Award in 2011, and was selected as the 2004 Grand Marshall of the Keith County Fair and Rodeo Parade.

Ron constructed and developed the information kiosk at Boot Hill and was an active participant in the Arterburn Youth Cabin project. He volunteered many hours in maintenance at the Mansion on the Hill, Boot Hill, the Nature Park, and the Tri Trails Park over the years.

He was a 70-year member of the First United Methodist Church and served on several committees including a decade on the Board of Trustees. Ron was an active member of the Methodist Mens group of Cowboy Capital Consulting which supports the church with their service and various church projects.

In 2014, after living in Ogallala for 50 years, the decision was made to move to McCook to be near family. Some health issues and a desire to be able to attend school activities of the grandson’s prompted this change at that time. Ron always enjoyed attending school events for all his grandchildren, and also sharing time with them at Lake McConaughy.

He is survived by his wife Lucille; a daughter, Karen (Dan) Crawford of Omaha; a son, Gary (Robin) of McCook; three granddaughters, Amy Thomas of Denver, Colo., Sara Crawford of Omaha, and Megan (Alex) O’Neill of Denver; two grandsons, Alex (Tara) Wolvin of Lincoln and Nicholas Wolvin of Omaha; four great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Dee (Terry) Kinder of Council Bluffs, Iowa and nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a sister, a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law, and a nephew.

Visitation was held Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Draucker Funeral Home Chapel.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at The United Methodist Church in Ogallala, Neb., and will be officiated by Pastor Mark Baldwin of The United Methodist Church of Paxton, Neb. Interment will be on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in the Ogallala Cemetery in Ogallala, Neb.

In lieu of flowers the family request that a donation be made to the Ron Wolvin Memorial fund for the United Methodist Church of Ogallala.

Online condolences may be sent by going to www.drauckerfh.com.

Services will be live-streamed and can be watched by visiting www.drauckerfh.com and clicking the watch live button.

Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.