Ronald Joseph Pung

Ronald Joseph Pung

June 27, 1946-August 23, 2026

Age 80

Birth: Born in Detroit, Michigan to George and Margaret (Zweng) Pung (preceded Ron in death) on June 27, 1946.  Ron married Rosalyn (Rosie) Hill Smith of Zionsville, Indiana on August 25, 1984 (initially met at a "baby shower" held at mutual friends' house).

Ron passed away peacefully with his wife and stepson at his bedside at IU North Hospital PCU during the early morning hours of August 23, 2026. His brief hospitalization and death related to a rare side effect of his daily oral cancer drug.

Survivors: Rosie Pung, his spouse; Brad Smith, his stepson;  his siblings and spouses: brother: Richard (Rick) and Karen Pung of Commerce Twp. Michigan; sisters: Marilyn and Anthony (Tony) Rutkowski of Rochester, Michigan and Rosemary Kresky ( Bob, Deceased) of Troy, Michigan and brother-in-Law: David Hill of Bloomington, Illinois and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ron was diagnosed with Non-Smoker Non-Small Cell Adenocarcinoma Cancer with Bone Metastasis in late February and began his Palliative Care treatment course. His cancer drug treatment was geared to slow down the progression of his one and only cancer driving mutation. The five (5) radiation treatments brought cancer bone pain relief as designed.

Ron knew he had limited lifetime remaining…..just not how long. Knowing Rosie has her own health (cancer) challenges was a huge worry to Ron even knowing Rosie was strong and resourceful.  Brad, his stepson, and close friends (Pete & Anita Russell and Mark and Jill Buchnan) kept reassuring Ron during his last days that they would take care of her. Making sure his "treasures and collection of car books and model cars" were given to the right friends relatives and kids were among his final "instructions". Ron gave detailed instructions to Rosie regarding the lawn irrigation operating instructions among many others.

At age 4, the Pung family moved to a house in Allen Park, Michigan. Ron attended  St. Francis Cabrini grade school and  St. Francis Cabrini High School (aka as Cabrini).  Cabrini High School was created and built  as he entered high school. He had the distinction of being the first freshman, sophomore, junior and senior class. He never experienced riding a bus or being transported by his parents by car to school. (never a "country" guy). He walked to/from school. Ron attended his freshman college year at Eastern Michigan University the completed his college years at Michigan State (marketing business not engineer major).

Following his 1968 Michigan State graduation, Ron began his career at Ford Motor Company initially with the Indianapolis District Sales Office then moved over to its Service District Office as a District Service Representative. He advanced to Service School instructive role. During the Indianapolis District Office corporate "right-sizing" process, Ron transferred in January 1990 to Ford Corporate in Dearborn,  Michigan to its Customer Service Division. Ron held multiple jobs throughout the remainer of his long Ford career including Service Hot Line. He concluded his Ford Service career in 2005 as the Commercial Fleet Service modified vehicle representative. He was known as "Sunny" to many Ford Motor Home owners (most are not young).

Ron was never an "athletic" player guy.  Being a "car buff" was in his DNA and life.  "Mort," his 1954 MG TF (no, not a kit car) with a small block Chevy engine was his pride and joy and its owner since 1952. The car was in "rebuild" state with car parts in kitchen cabinets and spare bedrooms when he met Rosie. Attending car shows, taking car pictures, collecting "car" books and small gauge model cars were his lifelong hobby and obsession.

His " Gold" curtains (ugly) in his  former Southport (Indiana) house's family room were only 1 example of his decorating "talent" during his "single" years!  Ron's newest nickname was "Grumpy."  He was so proud of finding a Grumpy Disney character shirt (another of his Goodwill finds) to wear. He laughed when weekend baseball young kid called him "old geezer" in the elevator at extended stay hotel in May.

Ron was underneath a loving caring person who cried easily even at sad cartoons. Ron was the "mother hen" caregiver during his long time friend's (Jerry Mullinix) last days life several years ago.  During his "single" years, he was adopted by Jerry, Judy and Jonathan Mullinix, his next door neighbors for years. Ron's longtime friendship with the Jim and Madaline Russell family and Bob and Pat Buchnan family began during his early years with Ford in Indianapolis. This relationship remained strong through the years, extending to their children and grandchildren.

Ron  enjoyed being an uncle to the nieces and nephews (special nicknames for many).  He loved being the idol of his youngest great-niece, Klara Hill, of Marion, Iowa and Russell grandchildren. Ron was the greatest "adopted" grandfather to Amy, Nick and Lauren Vandenberg (our Vandenberg Michigan family).  During Ron and Rosie's thirty years in Michigan, the "Michigan family " included neighbors, work associates, and former classmates who became more than "friends" and remain so to this day.  Returning to Indiana in 2020, meant returning to Indiana long time friends, his stepson and Rosie's "Hoosier" roots.

Ron desired cremation with no viewing or funeral services. Celebration of Life will be held at later date. Private burial will be  at Rest Haven Cemetery, Edinburgh, Indiana.

Donations may be made to Riley Children's Hospital Foundation or St. Jude Children's Hospital.