Obituary for Marlyn Ronan

Marlyn Juanita Cooper Ronan, 81, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday evening, November 22, 2014 in Via Christi Nursing Home.

The daughter of Walter Henry Cooper and Esther Juanita Maxwell, Marlyn was born on October 3, 1933, in Ronan, Montana. She is the youngest of thirteen children. After graduating from Ronan High School, Marlyn attended Bible College in Saskatchewan, Canada, but did not finish due to the unexpected death of her father. Not sure which avenue to take, Marlyn moved to Washington state to be closer to her sister.

There she met her husband, Thomas Ronan, Jr., at the local roller skating rink. She often joked that because he was dressed in civilian clothes and wearing rental skates, she didn’t know he was an Air Force man until it was "too late." They were wed in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on September 15, 1956. Over the course of their marriage, the Ronans lived in Washington, California and Kansas before settling in Oklahoma over 40 years ago.

Marlyn is the mother of five children: Nora Jean Ronan King Brignolo, Kathleen Ronan Farris, Walter Ronan, Michael Thomas Ronan and Patricia Juanita Ronan Ranson.

She is the grandmother of seven: Evan Michael Brignolo, Jared James King, Aaron Dale Farris, Nathan Michael Farris, Laura Anne Farris, William Henry Ranson and Jenna Nicole Ranson. She is the great-grandmother of two: Ezra Dale Farris and Nora Findlay Brignolo.

Marlyn retired in 2000 after seven years as secretary to St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene. Before becoming secretary at St. Luke’s, she worked for Action Machine Shop, McDonald’s, Horst Music Co., Wal-Mart and the Brick House Fine Jewelers. Of all the jobs she had, she was most proud of her work as mother and homemaker. She loved to sew, play the organ, sing and travel. She could always be called upon to share a laugh, a tear or a prayer. Marlyn was most passionate about the ministries of St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene and the Ponca City Federated Music Club.

Marlyn is preceded in death by her parents, nine brothers and sisters, as well as three of her children: Walter, Michael and Nora.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas, brothers Don Cooper and Gary Cooper, daughters Kathleen and Patricia, as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating her life and witness will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 1:00, St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene, Ponca City with Rev. David Frees officiating.

Private family burial was at Odd Fellows Cemetery of Ponca City on Tuesday, November 25, 2014.

All are welcome to attend.

Condolences may be sent to Trish Ranson, 1920 E. 4th Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074.