Ronald "Ron," Greilich
1932 - 2022

Ronald Arthur Greilich Ronald "Ron," Greilich was born October 21, 1932 on his father's 25th birthday. He went to his heavenly home on March 26, 2022. Ron was born in Owosso, Michigan.

He was the first child born to Arthur and Bernice Greilich. A brother, Richard and a sister, Marilyn would soon join Ron to complete the Greilich family. He grew up in Michigan. He played clarinet and tennis and enjoyed both for many years even into adulthood. In the 1950's like many Americans, Ron's family headed west to California and settled in the Monterey area. While there he worked in his parent's butcher shop, and caddied at Pebble Beach, which is probably where he learned to love the game of golf. He even worked in Yosemite one summer. In the late summer when the waterfalls had dried up, he would get asked why there wasn't any more water flowing over the falls. With a straight face, he'd tell them they turn them off during the week and turn them on again on the weekend when more tourists were around. He enrolled at San Francisco State where he majored in music intending to become a music teacher. But the Lord had other plans, and he would feel the call to enter seminary and pursue full time pastoral ministry.

In March of 1955, while he was completing his last year at SFS, he met a blonde-haired soprano who was in the choir, Florence Rundlett. Six months later on August 18, 1955 they were married at the First Covenant Church in San Francisco. After a brief honeymoon in the Lake Tahoe area, the newlyweds settled into their apartment in Berkeley. Ron began his seminary career at Pacific School of Religion. He also had a student pastorate in Georgetown, California. Ron and Florence would drive up after Florence got off work on Friday's and spend the weekend in Georgetown. In 1956, they loaded up their Rambler station wagon and headed cross country to Kentucky. Ron would finish his seminary training at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY. They made many life long friends, such as Dick and Ellen McKinsey.

In 1957, their first child, Rhonda Phyllis, was born. In 1958, Florence and Rhonda, returned to California, so Florence could work to allow Ron to finish his schooling, which he did in 1958. In 1959 their second daughter, Sheryl Lynn was born. In 1964 Timothy Arthur arrived and completed their family. In 1958, Ron was assigned to his first church in Olivehurst, California. He would go on to pastor United Methodist churches in Central Valley, San Mateo, Lincoln, Albany, Sanger, Lodi, Yuba City, Richmond, and his final appointment was in Soledad. Serving in smaller churches, Ron would be called on to do more than just Sunday morning preaching. He would type and print the bulletins, often be the choir director and lead congregational singing and even do custodial duties.

Ron enjoyed camping and backpacking. For many years he led Pioneer Camp. It was a weeklong backpack trip with junior high students from different churches in the conference. Most of those trips were in the Desolation Wilderness area around Lake Tahoe. He would continue to lead backpack trips with youth from the different churches where he was appointed. One of his goals was to hike to Mt. Whitney. It took two tries, but he did make it!

He retired to Clovis, California, in 1996, moving next door to his daughter Rhonda and her family. Sheryl and Tim and their families lived in nearby towns as well, which made it nice to gather for celebrations. In retirement, Ron kept busy with pulpit fill ins which included a single Sunday fill in and a few long-term appointments such as at the Dinuba UMC and in (Sonora?) He also kept up his weekly golf games with his golfing buddy, Ted Lepper. He and Florence attended a Walk to Emmaus weekend in 2005 and were richly blessed by the outpouring of love. Ron would go on to serve on the clergy teams for subsequent walks. He also became a liaison between The Upper Room, who oversees the national Emmaus and local Emmaus communities.

Ron and Florence enjoyed traveling. They were often blessed to combine ministry with their excursions. Their trips took them to Africa, Puerto Rico, India, a cruise following in the Footsteps of Paul and road trips to others states in the U.S.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Bernice Greilich, and his granddaughter, Laura Pope.

Ron is survived by his wife of 66 years, Florence Greilich, daughter, Rhonda Pope, and husband, Reed, daughter, Sheryl Munoz and husband, Rene, and son, Tim Greilich and wife, Kelly. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, Jason (Brandie) Munoz, Brian (Heather) Pope, Sean (Allie) Munoz, Kyle (Hannah) Greilich, Rebecca Greilich, and Michael Greilich. He also leaves behind 7 great-grandchildren, Pierce and Britta Pope, Jack and June Munoz, Evan and Reyna Munoz and Jasmine Greilich. He is also survived by his brother Richard (Yvonne) Greilich and sister, Marilyn Hamm and well as nieces and nephews and cousins.

There will be a memorial service for Ron on Friday April 15, 2022, 11 am at Soma Christian Church, 1519 Tollhouse Road, Clovis, CA 93611. Remembrances may be made in Ron Greilich's name to the Pregnancy Care Center, 1127 E Olive Ave, Fresno, CA 93728. Or give online at Pregnancy Care Center and scroll down to the Memorial giving link.

The family wishes to thank
Yost and Webb Funeral Home and Fresno Memorial Gardens
for their care for the family.

The family is very grateful for the many prayers, phone calls and
cards that we have received.