Ronald John Viola

Ronald John Viola, 82 years old, lifelong resident of Kenosha, WI passed away Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Aurora Medical Center, Kenosha, WI.

He was born April 18, 1944, in Kenosha, WI, the son of the late John and Ruth (Keefner) Viola. He graduated from St. Joseph High School and went on to get his Bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Master’s Degree from National Louis University. On February 3, 1968, Ron married Mary Lou Denning at St. George Catholic Church, Kenosha, WI and they raised their family in Kenosha.

For 46 years Ron was a dedicated educator, as middle school science teacher first at St. Mark Catholic School and later for the Racine Unified School District at Washington Junior High School and then Gilmore Middle School until 2005. He was also the Secondary Science Coordinator for RUSD, from which he retired in 2014. He filled the gap in work during the summers working at Tyson’s Sporting Goods, roofing homes, and after retirement, volunteering his time at Aurora Medical Center. Ron loved spending time surrounded by family. He enjoyed camping, listening to music, classic cars, and was an avid Wisconsin Badger, Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fan. Always looking for a something to work on, Ron was a true handy man, often preferring to fix things rather than purchase new ones, whether it was in his own home or his children’s. Ron was a good neighbor, always offering help, friendship, and fellowship to those around him. He was a parishioner at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Pompeii Catholic Church, Kenosha, where for many years, he helped with the church festival as well as the Mt. Carmel Festival. Ron was a member of the Holy Name Society, and volunteered at Holy Rosary’s Sports Night. In his youth, he loved to play hardball with the Kenosha Ravens and softball with the Tirabassi, Finny’s and Johnny’s Tap teams.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mary Lou; children, Jon (Christina) Viola, Marisa Viola, Anthony (Jennifer) Viola, and Marc (Jessica) Viola; grandchildren, Julianna, Lilianna, Allyce, Nicolas, Emilie, Kayli, and Abram; and a sister-in-law, Tina Denning.

In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Ann Eidsor.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Proko Funeral Home. A prayer service will take place at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026, at the funeral home and then proceed to Our Lady of Holy Rosary Catholic Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in St. George Cemetery, Kenosha, WI.