October 9, 2019 at 10:14 a.m.
Ronald Edwin Trotter, 85, of Columbus
Ronald Edwin Trotter, 85, of Columbus, passed away Monday, Oct. 7, 2019 at Miller’s Merry Manor.
Born on March 12, 1934 in Columbus, Ron was the son of Archie Franklin and Luella Carolyn Davis Trotter.
Ron graduated from Clifford High School in 1952. He attended two years at Purdue University and then joined the Air National Guard in Terre Haute. He went through Aviation Cadet training and received his wings on April 12, 1956. He transferred back to the National Guard and was married to Rosemary Holder on April 15, 1956. That summer, he attended gunnery training at Williams Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona. In September, Ron went back to Purdue to graduate in 1959. He continued in the National Guards until 1967.
Ron started farming in 1959. He raised hogs for 50 years. He was on the state board and was president of the Pork Producers. He helped start Bartholomew County Pork Producers in 1967.
Ron was a member of Hope Moravian Church where he was an Elder Trustee and taught Sunday School. He was also a member of Modern Farmers, Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and Shriners. He received the Sagamore of Wabash. He served on the Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals and the State Air Pollution Control Board.
Survivors include wife, Rosemary of Columbus; children, Rev. Bryan C. (Marisa) Trotter of Shelbyville, Barry E. (Polly) Trotter of Hope, and Marla A. (Kevin) Batt of Charleston, WV; grandchildren, Graham and Elaina Trotter of Shelbyville, Maclane (Emily) Trotter of Westport, Elizabeth Trotter, Pete Trotter, and Will Trotter, all of Hope, Ian Batt, Rhys (Rachael) Batt, Merryc Batt, and Ainslee Batt, all of Charleston, WV; great-grandson, Monroe Batt of Charleston, WV; and sister, Carolyn Epperson of Columbus.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hope Moravian Church with Rev. Bryan Trotter officiating. A masonic service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Hope Moravian Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be given to Hawcreek-Flat Rock Area Endowment Fund or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
