Ronnie Dean McCuan

Heaven gained a devoted follower on June 29, 2025, at 7:30 PM, When Ronnie Dean McCuan lost his battle with cancer; holding the hands of his son and daughter-in-law, David & Cyauna McCuan in Carrier Mills Nursing Home. He was born to the late Heze McCuan & Clara Louise Howell McCuan on August 7, 1947, in Harrisburg, IL. After dating for 7 years, he married the love of his life, Dawn Mason McCuan on May 28, 1983. They recently celebrated 42 years of marriage and 49 years of being together. In addition to being a loving, caring, and devoted husband and father dedicated to his family, Ron was a devout Christian. He enjoyed going to church, reading his bible daily, and sharing his faith with everyone. It was a privilege to be able to go on 2 mission trips to Honduras- helping with dental care and sharing the gospel. Ron earned his Bachelor of science from SIU Carbondale, his Masters Degree in Microbiology at SIU Carbondale, a Doctoral degree in Dental Medicine (DMD) at Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and a Juris Law Degree (JD) at SIU Carbondale. Upon finishing his dental degree, he joined the US Public Health Service Commission Corps. - one of the 8 branches of the uniformed services, and the only one dedicated solely to protecting America’s public health. His first commission was practicing dentistry in the rural community of Golconda, IL. He later moved to the underserved border community of Eagle Pass, TX. Later he transferred from serving underserved rural communities to the Bureau and was stationed at the US penitentiary in Marion, IL. At the time, Marion was the first federal supermax prison for high security. The challenge of providing care to the nation’s most violent and notorious criminals incarcerated in the nation’s most secure federal prison earned Ron the USPHS Outstanding Service Medal in 1996. During his time in the penitentiary, he was deployed to New Orleans in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina in 2005 as part of the dental team. The dedicated service of the Corps made an impact in the name of the US Public Health Service in which Ron earned a Crisis Response Service Award. Later while on duty, Ron was attacked by an inmate causing severe damage to the ligaments in his dominate hand, thereby ending his career in dentistry. While recovering, the US Public Health Service sent Ron back to school to study law and after finishing his Juris Doctorate Degree, Ron was assigned to Washington DC to work as a Public Health Analyst for the rest of his career. He retired from the US Public Health Service in 2019. Ron was a highly active member of the American Cancer Society early in his career. He held several offices including President of the Pope County, Hardin County, Saline County, and White County ACS. He was also a member of the Illinois State Board of Directors in the ACS. Ron was considered by his peers as an authority on tobacco and oral health as evidenced by state level activities on various cancer prevention projects. His service on public health and professional education committees taught me the importance of tobacco intervention techniques. Upon retirement, Ron began supporting the Alzheimer's Association in memory of his late father-in-law, Robert Mason. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to wineries, attending St. Louis Blues & Detroit Red Wing hockey games, and attending St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs baseball games. But the favorite pastime he enjoyed with his wife was traveling - to see, do and experience unfamiliar places and new cultures. From their first trip to Paris, Nice, and St. Tropez, France for their honeymoon to their last trip with their sons on a Viking River Cruise from Budapest Hungary, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, and all the trips in between including Greece, Turkey, Jamaica, Aruba, Hong Kong, Thailand and 38 states, They have so many precious memories together. He is survived by his loving wife, Dawn Mason McCuan; two sons, Daniel McCuan of Harrisburg and David McCuan with his wife Cyauna McCuan of Johnston City; PaPa of two precious granddaughters Ellieana Marie McCuan and Isla Claire McCuan also of Johnston City; brothers Randall McCuan of California, Jack Parks of Marion, IL; sister Delores Smythe of California and sister-in-law Grace McCuan of Crestwood, IL; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ron was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Don and Lavern (Mac) McCuan; sisters Margaret Ann McLean, Naoi Hargrave, and Maxine Parks. Ron’s kindness, wisdom, and unwavering faith left a lasting mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him. Friends, colleagues, and fellow church members remember his ready smile, gentle encouragement, and genuine interest in the lives of others. Whether volunteering in his community, mentoring young professionals, or quietly offering support to those in need, Ron carried himself with humility and grace. He approached every challenge-be it personal, professional, or spiritual- with remarkable resilience and hope. His stories, laughter, and the warmth of his presence filled gatherings with joy. The legacy Ron leaves is stitched together by countless acts of love, a deep commitment to service, and a boundless curiosity for the world. As his family and friends mourn the loss of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, they take comfort in the memories shared and the examples he set. Ron’s journey touched corners of the world, but it is in the hearts of those he loved that his spirit will forever travel on. Visitation will be at the Colonial Terrace Funeral Home in Eldorado on Thursday, July 10, from 5pm-7pm. A church service will be held at Dorrisville Baptist Church on Friday, July 11 at 1pm. Cremation and burial will be at a later date. The family wants to thank Hospice of Southern Illinois and Carrier Mills Nursing Home for the care they provided to Ron and to his family.