Ronald John Karchefski

Ronald John Karchefski, Sr. was born March 29, 1933 in Detroit and passed away January 17, 2025. Ron is survived by his wife of 68 years, Betty, son Ron Karchefski Jr. (Cheryl), daughter Suzi Nichols (Jim), daughter Joanie Kraemer (Mike), grandchildren Ryan, Lindsay, and Adam Nichols; Kelsey, Alex (Elizabeth), Madison, Will and Robbie Kraemer, great-grandchild Charlotte Kraemer, sister Delores Ballow (the late Robert), brother Ethan Allen (Sandy), and many beloved nieces and nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his sisters Constance Soltesz (the late John), Jacqueline Roberts (the late Melvin) and Alberta Keil.

Son of the late Valerie Allen, Ron spent much of his childhood in Laingsburg, Michigan living on a farm with the Floyd and Agnes Erb family. Ron returned to Detroit to attend Southwestern high school, where he graduated in 1951. He spent 2 years serving his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and upon his return from Germany, wed “the most beautiful girl in the world” (who happened to live across the street from him), Elizabeth (Betty, Betsy) Greif in June, 1956. Ron worked at the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn before he decided to buy an old lawnmower shop on Fort Street in Trenton that he remodeled and re-opened as “Ron’s Par-T-Pak” in 1962. Ron and Betty worked side by side at Ron’s for more than 50 years, before they handed the reins over to their eldest child Ron Jr. and tried their best to retire. Ron loved serving the Trenton community as a small business owner and always enjoyed chatting with his customers. He appreciated when generations of customers or employees would return decades later and visit, introducing their kids or grandkids and talk about penny candy or other favorite memories from their childhood involving Ron’s.

Ron will be truly missed by his friends and loving family. His devotion, kindness, intelligence, and perseverance are just a few of the attributes that made Ron so special and loved. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.