OBITUARY...
Ronald Oney, 65, died Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at home.

Born May 17, 1950, to Annabelle Simpson, Ron was adopted at birth by Ray and Evelyn (Creighton) Heyer. Ray died when Ron was 3 and Evelyn later married Wilmer Oney, who helped raise him. Ron adored his Unci Minnie Oney and Auntie Maxine Mills whose unconditional and generous way of loving gave him an understanding of what it means to be loving.

Ron graduated from Rapid City High School and earned degrees in math and civil engineering from SD School of Mines & Technology. He worked for the National Forest Service and the National Park Service, most memorably working two years at Yellowstone National Park. He owned Oney Engineering Services in Custer.

Always a gregarious people person, Ron earned a Master’s in Counseling in 1991 and became a mental health counselor. Despite being the life of the party, Ron struggled with depression until his mid-30s when he powerfully encountered God’s light and love, knew himself to be deeply loved, and discovered his mission as a passionate proclaimer of life. He encouraged people to find that same center. He had a private counseling practice in Custer, worked for Catholic Social Services for 12 years in Rapid City, St. Francis and Eagle Butte, and then opened another private practice in Rapid City. He retired in 2014, after being diagnosed with cancer. Ron considered the past 20 months as a great but difficult adventure.
Celebrating Ron’s life are his wife, Sharon (Deets) Oney; children, Michael and Amanda Oney, Marshall, MN, Anna and Kevin Kuestermeyer, Tyler, MN, and Matthew Oney and partner Jolene Dettman, Rapid City; grandchildren, Jordan Oney, Rachael Blake, Keara and Alex Kuestermeyer, and Kyrie Wagner; two great-grandchildren; sister, Rhonda and Jeff Hayes, Sioux Falls, nephew and niece Josh and Jenna Hayes; uncle, Norman and Myrna Oney, Windsor Locks, CT; biological half-sister, Vicki Kinney, Sturgis; and numerous beloved cousins and friends.

Deacon Marlon Leneaugh will officiate the funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, at St. Isaac Jogues Church, Rapid City. In lieu of flowers, Ron asked that memorials be made to Make-A-Wish South Dakota.