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The Chillicothe Voice

Obituary – Ronald Creighton Coletrain

Ronald, aged 69, passed away May 21st peacefully at his home with his loving family right by his side after a year-long fight against Pancreatic Cancer.

Born on May 4, 1956, in Charleston, South Carolina to Gloria and Perlie Coletrain. He grew up in Chillicothe, Illinois, with his only sister Tammy Coletrain (Callison). He graduated from IVC in 1974, then went on to continue a career in automotive manufacturing. Later, retiring from Mitsubishi Motors after 30+ years.

Ron was a man of great heart. He was a loving husband to Cheri, his partner in all of life’s adventures for 42 years. Together they shared laughter, challenges, and countless memories. Many of them on the back of a bike or under the stars at a racetrack. They built a home filled with hard work, shared dreams, and laughter. He was a dedicated father to Zach (Lauren Coletrain) and Vanessa (Ryan Cullen), teaching them values of determination, loyalty, courage, and hard work. As a grandfather to Macy, Forest, and Flint Coletrain, he always made sure to tell them how proud he was of them and reminded them of the importance of hard work and being a good person to others. He adored and cherished every moment he spent with them.

Ron lived life with passion, purpose, and a little grease on his hands. As a lifelong gear-head, from the roar of motorcycle engines to the adrenaline of the racetracks, he found joy, speed, and freedom from the open road. He wasn’t just a rider; he was a racecar builder, a storyteller, and a mentor in the garage. His love for motorcycles and racing wasn’t just a hobby, it was a lifestyle. He could often be found in the garage tuning an engine, never hesitating to help a neighbor, friend, or even a stranger with their cars or helping a young rider fix their first motorbike.

Ron was the kind of man who never met a stranger. He had a rare gift: the ability to make people seen, heard, and valued. His friendships were his lifeblood, a steady hand in times of need, and the first to show up when it mattered; he left a mark on all who knew him. We will miss him deeply — but we will continue to carry his spirit in every hug between old friends, every act of kindness, and every moment we choose to show up for each other the way he always did.