Ronald W. Schreiber, age 85, of Casselberry, Florida, formerly of Columbus, died Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

A private burial is planned in Roselawn Cemetery next to his beloved wife, son and parents.  Friends and family will gather at the American Legion, Friday, July 12th, 2024, 4:30-6:30 pm to reminisce about Ron's life.  In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials may be designated to the family.

Ronald Schreiber was born at the Lutheran Hospital in Columbus on June 12, 1938, at a cost of $18, to Walter K and Marcia D (Everson) Schreiber.  He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbus.

At an early age, Ron established himself to be like his father, both an innovative thinker and implementer.  In a time when children were to be seen and not heard, Ron was welcomed to the room when men were discussing failing equipment and design flaws.  He would listen and when asked, he would tell them how to fix their issue. He loved working side by side with his father and together they could fix or build just about anything.  When his father was sick, Ron would put on his dad's cap and slide into his seat in the road grader to work Walter's route and no one would know the difference.  They were similar in so many ways.

In high school, Ron was identified by his peers as a "pathfinder".  During those years, Ron ran "Ron's Repair".  Ron graduated from Columbus High School in 1955 and continued his education throughout his life, rising to new challenges, learning new industries, and achieving many certifications and licenses in various fields.

On a very bitter cold February 14th, 1958, Ron married the love of his life, Shirley Mae (Gehring) at Immanual Lutheran Church in Columbus.  They first lived in Lincoln where Ron owned, and for two years worked "Randy's Meat Route" while Shirley would often ride along.  Ron was one of the top three salesman in Nebraska.  Ron served in the Air National Guard as a Jet Mechanic.  Ron's training to serve in the Air National Guard kept him for days from knowing when their first daughter was born.  They were blessed by three children, Debra, Dale, and Lori.  The couple lived in both Chickasha, Ok. and Grand Junction, Co. where Ron sold securities.

They were always pulled back to Columbus, where Ron established himself as a gifted, hard worker.  He could sell anything, winning awards and trips for his insurance and securities sales; yet he continued to learn how to be a better salesman.  He sold homes and helped build so many homes, including his own.  Together Ron and Shirley built their home in northeast Columbus.  Ron used his amazing backhoe skills to dig the basement as he did so many times for others.  Together they built the house with their own hands and design considerations that were ahead of their time.   They grew sweet corn and raised some pigs.  They enjoyed fishing, camping, and traveling together with friends and relatives.

Even while Ron continued a life in sales and building, he continued to use his mechanical skills and abilities to rebuild carburetors, motors, and whatever was broken.

Ron's life was met with losses that had a profound effect on him though his faith did not waiver.  Even as his wife was recovering from surgery, he received the news that his father had passed.  Exactly a year later, Ron, just 32, lost his wife and partner.

Ron continued to rely on his established skills and took on a new venture as an owner in the Brown Derby.  He learned from the venture and took his new skills with him.  He turned to the hospitality industry and sales for an investment company.  He oversaw their hotels in Oklahoma and Texas and their retirement communities in Arkansas with success.  They challenged Ron with a mining venture in Moapa, Nevada, that became Ron's life for forty years.

While Ron continued to educate himself about minerals and chemicals, rules and regulations, patents and claims; Ron relied on his skills as a bartender,  handyman, and heavy equipment operator.  He worked for Wayne Newton, the City,  and others in the area using his backhoe skills and ingenuity.

Ron met and married Sidnia "Ann" (Whitehead) Schreiber in 1986 and though the marriage ended, the two remained best friends.

In 2018, Ron retired to Casselberry, Fl. to live with his daughter and her husband.  He again enjoyed adventures, such as scalloping, boating, camping, the water, and watched several rockets go up.  He enjoyed the antique cars at shows and their shop and shared his knowledge of old cars with all that would listen.  He would watch anything about Columbus, Nebraska or the Huskers when he could as he never lost his love for the area though he grew to love Moapa, Nevada too.  Ron was a member of the Moose Lodge 1763 Nevada for more than 10 years and the Fraternal Order of the Eagles #1834 Columbus for 58 years.  Ron was a member of numerous other industry related societies and associations.

Ron is survived by his daughters Debra M. (Bob Richardson) Richardson of Kerrville, Texas; and Lori A. (Chad Stanich) Schreiber of Casselberry, Fl., grandson Alexander Stanich of Casselberry, Fl.  One niece, Cheri (Todd) Bollig of Columbus, and one nephew Jerry (Cathy) of San Juan Capistrona, California.  Ann Schreiber of Moapa, Nevada and her children, Tim Jenkins of Colorado, Mike Jenkins of Moapa and Jamie Jenkins of Australia.  Numerous great nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife Shirley M (Gehring) Schreiber, son Dale R. Schreiber, grandson Josh Richardson, Sister Evelyn (Schreiber) Harral, his parents Walter Schreiber and Marcia Schreiber-Smith, step-father John G. Smith, his nephew Terry Harral, his father and mother-in-law Clarence and Elsie (Janssen) Gehring, sister-in-law Linda (Gehring) Nichols, nephew-in-law Todd Gehring, and former son-in-law Frank Jenkins, and numerous aunts, uncles and special cousins and friends.

Ron touched many in his 85 years and will be missed.