Ronald Bettley, age 84, passed away on February 2, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Beloved husband of Bonnie. Dear father of Bernadette (Danny) Dochenetz, Stephen (Jennifer), Christine (Paul) Seychel, Theresa (Matt), and the late Michael. Grandfather 'Bubba' of Jeremy (Caitlin), Arryn, and Marcus Dochenetz, Gabriel, Jessica, and Andrea Bettley, and Dante, Julia and Ava Seychel, and Luke and Addison. Brother of Kathy DeLaFuente.

He was born October 18, 1939, in Pennsylvania and then moved to Detroit, Michigan in his early childhood. He graduated in 1957 from Chadsey High School in Detroit. He then enlisted in the US Army in 1962 and was stationed in Fort Hood, TX.

In 1966, he started his 32-year career with the City of Dearborn Fire Department where he was in charge of the Department's Apparatus Bureau until his retirement in 1998 as the Apparatus Battalion Chief. He was extremely mechanically inclined and truly enjoyed all his years with his Fire Fighter family.

Also, in 1966 he married the love of his life, Bonnie.  He had 5 children and 11 grandchildren who were the joys of his life. He loved spending time with his family on road trips, family dinners, camping, fishing, doing puzzles, and especially mechanical tinkering. There wasn't a machine or engine he couldn't figure out.

One of his true joys was making pierogis with the family and eating them by the dozen. Many years and miles were spent in his Champion motorhome driving across the country with all the family loaded on board, listening to 8 track tapes of Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and Charlie Pride. The Detroit Lions and University Michigan football were his weekend treats to watch.  Some of his TV highlights that he really enjoyed were HeeHaw, MASH, Border Patrol, Cops, and old war movies.

And we can't forget all the amazing memories of Ronnie at the summer trailer in Goderich, Canada. It was his second home where he raised his kids.  During the years in Goderich, he made tremendous friendships that became lifelong friends.  His years in Goderich included fishing, pig roasts BBQs, water skiing on the river and living life to the fullest with his family and friends.

He was the Patriarch of the family, and he had a tremendous gift to make people feel part of the family. He had an amazing sense of humor and spread smiles and laughs to whomever he was around. All the way to the end, he made sure his family was surrounded by his love and laughter. His entire family and friends will miss him dearly.

Visitation Monday 1 pm – 8 p, with a 7 pm Rosary at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home. In state Tuesday 9:30 am until the 10:30 am Funeral Mass at St. Colette Catholic Church.

I lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials to the National Kidney Foundation www.kidney.org

or the Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive to be used toward the Mike Bettley Scholarship fund. www.dearbornff.org