Rutledge Everett “Ron” Shuler, Jr., 75, of Hendersonville passed away Saturday, November 5, 2016 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock after a valiant struggle with cancer.
Ron was born on February 14, 1941 to Lillie Mae Rickenbaker Shuler and Rutledge Everett Shuler, Sr. in Orangeburg County, SC. He grew up swimming, fishing, and skiing from the loamy banks of Lake Marion. He fell in love with golf as a teen and helped build his first home course, Holly Hill Country Club, while receiving lessons from the local professional. Ron always loved a good day’s work, and he poured himself into every venture he pursued.
After graduating from Holly Hill High School in 1959, Ron attended the University of South Carolina. After USC, Ron moved to Dallas, TX to study at Gupton-Jones Mortuary Institute where he completed his coursework for licensure in 1964, while also serving as Vice-President of his class. Interestingly, while there, Ron worked as a paramedic and found himself driving an ambulance the day of John. F. Kennedy’s assassination. He was at Parkland Memorial Hospital during the tragic events, something which left a poignant and indelible memory. After graduation, Ron returned to SC to pursue his career in funeral service.
Ron met the lovely Faye Kirby in Florence, SC while he was working as a funeral director. They were married in August of 1965. In SC, he actively served the community, volunteering as President of the Jaycees and in other civic roles. In 1975, they moved their family to Hendersonville, NC. Before retiring from his tenure with Batesville Casket Company, Ron was inducted into the Master’s Club, the company’s highest honor.
In 1997, he, along with the help of his wife Faye, founded Shuler Funeral Home. His years at Shuler Funeral Home were the most fulfilling of his career life, and he felt humbled and grateful each day to help families during some of their most difficult days. He believed in the wonder of human compassion and in the dignity of life, and he made these tenets the mission of his work.
Ron was a member of Hendersonville First Baptist Church for 40 years, serving as a children’s Sunday School teacher and as a Deacon. His love for Christ, heart for his family, and desire to help others were the motivators of his life.
His other passion was golf. Ron was an avid and naturally gifted golfer who enjoyed his memberships at Hendersonville Country Club and in the Crooked Creek Men’s Golf Association.
Ron was preceded in death by his loving wife of 47 years, Faye Kirby Shuler, and his father, Rutledge Shuler, Sr. He is survived by his mother, Lillie Mae Rickenbaker Shuler, and his sister, Lynda Shuler Caughman, both of Lexington, SC; two daughters, Heather Shuler Stepp, and husband, Christopher, of Flat Rock, NC, and Holly Shuler Ollis, and husband, Jeff, of Greensboro, NC. Ron is also survived by two grandsons, Samuel Rutledge Stepp and Micah Wade Ollis; three granddaughters, Kirby Nichole Ollis, Celeste Leslea Ollis, and Lilly Margaret Ollis; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Kirby Tart and husband, Thomas, and Annie Mae Kirby Broach and husband, Ralph, and brother-in-law, Alton Kirby and wife, Judy, all of Florence, SC; and by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, November 11, 2016 at the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville. The Reverends Steve Scoggins and Wally Shamburger will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12 – 2 pm in the church prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731, or to First Baptist Church, by clicking HERE.
Date: Friday, November 11, 2016
Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Date: Friday, November 11, 2016
Time: 2:00 pm
Pending
Date: Friday, November 11, 2016
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Priscilla Smith posted on 11/12/16
I read in the paper this week of the passing of Ron Shuler. I feel compelled to let you know how much I have respected him over the years. I worked at Park Ridge Hospital Labor and Delivery Unit and this is where I come to have a secret high regard for him. Working to help mother's bring their babies into the world is usually a happy and rewarding job. But sometimes we usher in a fetal demise, a miscarriage or stillbirth. We help the mother deliver a baby who is not alive at birth or too young to survive. This is a hard time for the parents and their family. It is also hard on the nurses. But I always know that I can call Shuler funeral home and they will prepare the baby's body for burial at no charge to the family. I work night shift. We encourage the parents to hold their baby for as long as they want, exploring perfectly formed hands and mourning. When I explain that the Shuler Funeral Home will take their baby's body and prepare it for burial they are relieved and grateful. If they agree I call Shuler's. It can be 11:30 at night, or 3:00 in the morning. Mr. Shuler always comes himself, arriving on our unit dressed in a suit and tie. He waits in respectful silence while I go into the patient's room and patiently wait for the final goodbyes. I bring him the baby and he signs the paperwork. I am grateful for his reassuring presence as death is not my area. I help usher in new life. Mr. Schuler helps the living deal with death. He always exudes compassion, peace and unhurried comfort with the workings of death. We are working parallel. Life and Death. God bless you all at the loss of such a fine person. He made an impact on me and I mourn his loss. His life was a blessing to Henderson County.