August 4, 1941 — November 29, 2025
Ronald L. Inman, 84, of Mason City, passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at his home. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Christ’s Church, 710 N Kentucky Ave. Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N Pennsylvania Ave. Memorials can be directed to the family of Ronald Inman.
Ronald Lee Inman was born on August 4, 1941, at home in Oelwein, Fayette County, Iowa. He was the youngest of six children born to Levi Delroy and Mildred Etta (Shillington) Inman, and was proud of the fact that on his birthday, one brother was 10 years older than him, and another was 20 years older. Ron grew up in Oelwein and graduated from Oelwein High School in the class of 1959.
Ron worked for the Chicago Great Western railroad, originally on the extra board as a station agent. Later he took a job in Chicago as a telegrapher clerk, working days as relief at the Chicago Downtown yard office, and nights at Bellwood Tower. While working in Chicago, Ron had three days off for Christmas one year. He came home to be united in marriage to Bonita Irene McClain on December 25, 1961, at 8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Oelwein, Iowa. They arrived back in Chicago in time for his next night shift. Ron had a decorated Christmas tree waiting in the apartment. The couple lived in Lions, IL, then moved to Brookfield, IL. After approximately one and a half years, Ron accepted a job as a surveyor in the main office for the CGW, which was located in Oelwein, Iowa. Later the CGW and the Chicago Northwestern railroads merged but kept the Chicago Northwestern name.
When CNW closed the Oelwein office, Ron was transferred to Mason City as an engineering inspector. He oversaw government projects, made sure what was reported was accurate, and relieved road masters for weekends. He left the railroad during a major downsizing, in which one-third of all employees were let go. Ron wanted to protect his railroad pension and chose to work self-employed on independent projects for the rest of his working life.
Ron grew up and was baptized in the Oelwein First Baptist Church, associated with the LaGrange, IL Baptist Church, then returned to his hometown church. Later, he transferred his membership to the First Baptist Church of Mason City, then to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) until it closed. He had currently been a member of Christ’s Church of Mason City. Ron served as a teacher in Sunday school, as financial secretary on the church board, as a trustee, and was a member of numerous committees and teams—the memorial committee, choir, Sunday school, Men’s Breakfast Bible Study, and the church bowling team, among others. Church activities were always a part of Ron’s life.
Ron loved railroads. There was a Lionel train layout in his basement growing up. He modeled 110-gauge cars while single and made wooden toy trains for his children. He went to train shows and joined a group of men with large layouts that required several people to operate. They ran the layout every week. If the family passed by a train, they would always have to stop and watch it go by. Ron enjoyed family and outdoor activities. He hunted, fished, swam, camped, canoed, gardened, landscaped, did drainage, did remodels, most repairs, wood working, learned to do oil, acrylic and water paintings. He was creative. He belonged to the Northeast Iowa Art Association.
He was a Boy Scout leader when his Church sponsored a troop. He was a Webelos Scout leader for his youngest son’s troop.
He is survived by his four children, Neil (Dona) Inman of Locust Grove, OK, Audrey (Kenneth) Waughtal of Franklin, OH, Jeffrey (Marilyn) Inman of Iowa Falls, IA, Matthew Inman of Mason City, IA; grandchildren, Michael (Andrea) Inman, David Inman, Dorothy Inman, Abram Inman, Elijah (Rebecca) Inman, Cora Inman, Adam Waughtal (Savannah Bateman), Sarah (Jonathan) Wills, Thomas Waughtal, Rebecca Waughtal; great grandchildren, Rachel Inman, Brayden Inman, Layla Inman, Daisy Waughtal, Hank Waughtal; step-grandchild, Daniel (Leah) Barker; step-great grandchildren, Daniel Barker, Brendan Barker, Lillian Barker, Emily Barker, Jacob Barker; brother, Warren (Marjorie) Inman of Cedar Falls, IA; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Larry) DeGreif of Lakeside, CA, Dorothy (Robert) Gee of Marion, IA, Luella McClain of Fairbank, IA, Mary Lou McClain of Oelwein, IA; brothers-in-law, Alfred McClain of Oelwein, IA, Richard McClain of Peoria, IL, Paul (Karen) McClain of Newhall, IA, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Vivian Pruckler and Inez Zeek; brothers, Edward and Lawrence Inman; sisters-in-law, Ruth Diercks, Shirley DeGreif, Sandy McClain, Caryl McClain, Doris McClain, Janet Inman, Alcie Inman; brothers-in-law, Robert Pruckler, Andrew Zeek, Robert McClain, John McClain, Donald McClain, Eldon Diercks, Eldon DeGreif; grandson, Samuel Nelson Inman.
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