Ronald Joseph VanZile, Sr., age 90 of Lawrenceville, PA, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Born on Wednesday, January 16, 1935, in Knoxville, PA, he was the son of the late Joseph and Esther (Brockway) VanZile.
Ron retired from Corning Inc. after 50 years of service. He married Cecelia L. Cornell on July 3, 1953, at the Salvation Army in Corning, NY; they settled down in Lawrenceville and shared 69 years together until her passing on September 15, 2022.
He was a member of the Salvation Army in Corning, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Dad’s Club, the Lawrenceville United Methodist Church and the Tioga County Bass Anglers; where he was instrumental in starting the Tioga County Bass Anglers Kid’s Derby in 1999. Ron enjoyed fishing, going to car shows and antique cars.
Ron is survived by his children, Pam VanEtten of Tuscarora, NY, Cheryl Bonham of Lawrenceville, Carol (Jim) Tamsen of Buffalo, NY and Ronald VanZile, Jr. of Lindley, NY; grandchildren, Aaron Bonham, Andrew (Niki) Bonham, Abram (Kelsey) Bonham, Michelle Contanza, Michael VanZile, Joe Tamsen, Josh Tamsen, Shane Bolt, Tiffany Augustine, Kiley Hogue, Jennifer (Paul) Dalton, Steven Hogue, Richie (Gwen) VanEtten and Debbie VanEtten; his sister, Audrey Wagner of Holiday, PA and many great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Cecelia; a daughter, Cathy Valentine; sons in law, Richard VanEtten and Louis Bonham and three grandchildren, Angelica Bonham, Joshua Bolt and Adam Bonham.
Private family services will be held at their convenience. Memorial donations may be made in Ron’s honor to the Tioga County Bass Anglers, PO Box 443, Wellsboro, PA 16901; American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 or to the National Kidney Foundation, PO Box 40544, Bay Village, OH 44140. Arrangements are in care of Kenyon Funeral Home, Inc.
