Ronald Lee Joppie
Ronald “Ron” Lee Joppie, age 75, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on March 27, 2026. He was born on April 25, 1950, in Charlotte, Michigan, to Russell and Janice Joppie.
Ron was a proud graduate of Ferris State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 1972. During his time at Ferris State, he was also a member of Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity that reflected his early commitment to leadership and professional growth. He went on to dedicate 45 years to the retail furniture industry, building lasting relationships and earning a reputation for integrity, loyalty, and hard work. For 35 of those years, Ron was a co-owner of Christensen’s Furniture in Charlotte, where he was a well-known and respected member of the community. He later continued his career at Talsma Furniture, retiring in 2019.
Ron shared a remarkable love story with his wife, Diane, whom he met at seventh grade camp. Their relationship grew into a beautiful 53-year marriage filled with love, laughter, and unwavering support for one another.
Outside of his career, Ron found joy in the things he loved most. He was a devoted Michigan State Spartans fan, rarely missing an opportunity to cheer on his team. He also had a lifelong passion for cars and enjoyed everything about them. Ron cherished traveling, especially to tropical destinations where he could relax and create lasting memories with his family.
He is survived by his loving wife, Diane Joppie; his daughters, Rebecca (Christopher) Melton and Lisa (Shane) Davis; and his beloved grandchildren, Guiliana and Andrew Melton, and Ethan and Evelynn Davis. He is also survived by his brothers, Richard (Donna) Joppie and Randy (Lisa) Joppie; his sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Dan Hayes; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Janice Joppie, and his brothers, William and Jerry Joppie.
Visitation was held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m., with a luncheon to follow, at Rockford United Methodist Church, 159 Maple St., Rockford, Michigan 49341.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made toward the future care and support of Guiliana Melton, who was very close to Ron’s heart. Contributions can be made through Ugiftable using gift code P03-J9X at: https://www.ugiftable.com/.