Ronald James Ledwich

February 23, 1950 – August 28, 2026

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ronald J. Ledwich, who went to be with the Lord on August 28, 2026. Ron passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. He was born on February 23, 1950, in Johnstown, the son of the late Stanley and Marion (Sedlemyer) Ledwich.

Ron is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joann (Zupancic) Ledwich; his daughter, Dr. Lindsay Ledwich, and her husband, Craig Fleishauer, of West Hampton, PA, along with their sons, Craig P. and Christian J.; and his son, Ronald Ledwich Jr., and his wife, Shannon (Black) Ledwich, of Marietta, GA, along with their son, Luke O. Ledwich. He is also survived by his siblings — brothers Stanley (Dolores Wilt) of Manheim, PA, Leonard (Margaret Weaver) of Johnstown, PA, Richard (Kathleen Simon) of Lanham, MD, and Kenneth (Winnie Sprague) of Brogue, PA; and sister Judith Petrovcic (the late Jack) of Davidsville, PA — as well as his late sister, Mary Lancaster, of North Carolina. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, John (Nina Leftwich) Zupancic of LaPlata, MD, and Edward Zupancic (Jeanne Kuhn) of Johnstown, PA, and his special sister-in-law, Marian Morgan (Dr. Owen Morgan), also of Johnstown, PA, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Ron shared a very special and caring relationship with his mother-in-law, the late Eva Zupancic.

Ron attended Penn State University, where he majored in Mining Engineering. His career began with 16 years at Bethlehem Steel Corporation and Bethlehem Mines. He later graduated from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and worked as a registered nurse for 22 years for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, retiring from SCI Greene in Waynesburg, PA. Ron was also an Army National Guard veteran and a past member of American Legion Post 849.

Ron met the love of his life, Joann, at Franklin High School in Franklin, PA, in 1969 — a note passed gently in the hallway marked the start of a love that endured through five decades of marriage. He was a devoted member of Immaculate Conception Church in Washington, PA.

Ron had a love for music from a young age. He picked up the guitar at 16 and played in a pop band during his high school years, continuing to play throughout his life and filling the house with music that everyone in the family loved to hear — he later taught his son, Ron Jr., to play as well. He rode his motorcycle for hours, savoring the freedom of the open road, and cherished his two antique cars, spending countless hours working on them. Gardening was another passion, though his efforts were regularly thwarted by the neighborhood deer, who ate everything he planted — he'd "bless" them every morning when he found them visiting his plants again. Ron was a gifted handyman who arrived with his toolbox and rarely met a repair he wouldn't tackle for anyone who needed help. He and Joann also relished traveling, visiting numerous countries together.

Above all, his grandsons were the center of his life. Craig and Christian shared his love of fishing, hiking, and amusement park trips, while young Luke kept him laughing with his habit of throwing rocks in the pool. Ron will be remembered as a loving husband, father, friend, and “Pap” with a kind and adventurous spirit, greatly missed by all who knew him.

Friends and Family are welcome to join us at Baker Funeral Chapel and Cremation, 229-231 First Street Johnstown, PA 15909, on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026 from 3:00 to 8:00 PM for a visitation and a Funeral Mass will be held at Church of the Transfiguration, 340 2nd street Johnstown, PA 15909 at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 3rd, 2026, with Father Timothy Harris, T.O.R Officiating. Internment will be at Grandview Cemetery following the funeral mass . Services entrusted to Baker-Harris Funeral Chapel and Cremation.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the UPMC Hillman Leukemia Cancer Center (www.UPMCHillman.com/donate), the Magee-Womens Hospital NICU (mageewomens.org/support), or a charity of your choice.