Ronald Clonts Obituary

Clonts, Ronald Boston Passed away peacefully on December 29, 2013. He will be missed and remembered dearly by his children, Winifred Laura Clonts, Heidi Anne Clonts Scott (Kenneth Scott), Jeffrey Frederick Clonts (Robert Ryan), and John Eldon Clonts (David Gall); a trio of grandchildren, Ronald Andrew Clonts, Boston James Scott and Jeffrey Eldon Scott; and step-grandchildren, Cynthia Sue Wilson and James William Scott. His leadership and integrity was valued highly by the many colleagues and employees whose lives he touched as a Senior Finance Executive with Eagle Finance. His strong principles influenced hundreds of singers whose lives he touched as the director of the touring High School choir at the Glenview Community Church (GCC) called The Singing Stones, at whose reunion in August he was honored to conduct their final, signature song, "Let There Be Peace on Earth." Ron was born to John Emmett Clonts and Laura Lipscomb (nee Boston) Clonts on February 11, 1933 in Oakland, Florida, a town of 300 near Winter Park. He had two older brothers who predeceased him, Maj. John Emmett Clonts, Jr. and Dr. Wilber Tillman Clonts. He attended Stetson University for two years until he met his artistic and life-long partner, Sally Anne Wonderlic, at Interlochen Summer Music Camp where he sang Pinkerton and she sang Butterfly in the opera Madame Butterfly. He transferred to Northwestern University to finish his Bachelor Degree in Music and they married soon after graduation on September 10, 1955. Since Sally's passing four years ago he talked about her every single day. He served in the US Navy as a Lieutenant aboard the USS Bolster. He then served as an instructor at Great Lakes Naval Station until he left the service, joined General Finance and returned to Northwestern University to earn a Master's degree in Business Management. In 1962, Ron joined E.F. Wonderlic and Charles F. Wonderlic to found Eagle Finance. Although he stopped working as a professional musician, he never stopped singing. His warm, tenor voice was a gift to all who heard it. Members of the GCC will recall him singing the tenor solos in classical works, such as the Verdi Requiem, Rossini's Stabat Mater, Mendelssohn's Elijah and Handel's Messiah. Others may be more familiar with his recording of "My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose," and his love of spirituals, including "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" sung at every Christmas Eve midnight service for decades. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 18th at 10:00 a.m. at the Glenview Community Church, 1000 Elm St., Glenview, IL 60025. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to the Glenview Community Church music program.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Jan. 1, 2014.
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Memories and Condolences
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Dear Clonts Family,
Your dad was an amazing human being! I feel very fortunate to have shared the choir conducting duties with him at GCC for many years. I truly admired and appreciated his"go for it" attitude as the"rock" of the tenor section in the Chancel Choir and then simultaneously directing and inspiring the Singing Stones to all that they accomplished. I'm so happy that my three children were part of that Stones "family." With that great sense of humor and that warm smiling face he moved all of us to live up to his high expectations. What a gift he was to us all. His love of music and his total commitment to Improve young peoples lives through singing leaves all of us with a priceless legacy that I will treasure for the rest my life. Ron was a special blessing to us all.

Ted Klinka

January 17, 2014

Dear Clonts Family,
I thank God for bringing your Dad into my life. His positive attitude and loving encouragement helped me through my high school awkwardness! Thank you for sharing him with all of us. He was your Dad, but to us he was our Ron. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, Kelly Patterson-Paulson

Kelly Patterson-Paulson

January 17, 2014

Dear Clonts,

Ron, I realize now, made everyone feel special. I always wondered how he knew everyone's name so quickly to take attendance (down below - he did have a cheat sheet though), but he did. I thought he made me feel special because I played tennis often with him (and I worked at Wonderlic for a bit) - but from reading how everyone felt - he made everyone feel special and good about themselves. He had the gift of welcoming everyone into his musical family (The Singing Stones) - talented or not (just a desire was all that was needed) which made him even more special. What a wonderful man to so many people. I am so glad I got to say goodbye to him before he left us. I know he was and is proud of all of you children and grandchildren. He was also a very good athlete and played tennis very well and was determined to learn all he could - and I know he LOVED playing golf. Ron will be missed by many!

Dara Anstaett Chapman

Dara Anstaett Chapman

January 17, 2014

He lives on in each of us Stones....your dad will never be forgotten....he's loved too much.

Audrey Helminiak

January 16, 2014

May you experience joy and peace knowing how many young people and their parents, were touched by your Dad's gifts through music and his love.
Blessings on you all.

The Dilworth Family

January 16, 2014

Dear Clonts kids-so sorry for you as you say goodbye to your dad. I am grateful for the treasure he placed in my life and for his enthusiasm, belief in us, his gift of song, and for creating a "family" with the choir. Many good memories but also a lifetime of character, friendships and songs that last forever. Love to you all-Sheri for the Klinka kids

Sheri Klinka Bland

January 14, 2014

Dear Clonts Family,
With fond memories of Ron and our many hunting days at Richmond. My Sympathy to you all.
Your friendly mechanic,
Walter Pieri, formerly of Northbrook Union "76" Service Station

January 6, 2014

To my dear friend Heidi and family, I am so glad that I got to know your dad. His love of family was obvious each time I saw him. I know that both he and your mom will be sending you lots of messages, watch for the signs and smile even though it might be mixed with tears for awhile. Love you,

Kathy Rice

January 2, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

annie

January 2, 2014

We have lost a wonderful man from our midst, but the Good News is that Ron The Rock is together again with Sally Mushroom in the Kingdom of Heaven.. let not your heart be troubled.

Frank & Michiko Fisher

January 1, 2014

Dan & I were short term members of the GCC church and choir, but we remember fondly the Clont's wonderful home at Christmas, and Ron's leadership in the annual Pageant's choir. I know he, as well as Sally are missed by many people who knew them so well. Our sympathies to all. Dan & Deena Russell

Dan & Deena Russell

January 1, 2014

Such a good neighbor and such a musical influence on my life. Not too mention the only person I knew in Glenview who ate fried bologna #30

Karen Pulfer Focht

January 1, 2014

Dear Jeff and Clonts Family,
Your father was such a big personality in so many dear and wonderful ways. His voice could move me to tears (in a good way)!! His passion for Christ was inspiring. He clearly was the patriarch of an equally impressive family. P.S. Not to be outdone by his lovely wife. To this day, no one could ever sing a version of O Holy Night that could move me like your mom. God bless you all and may you enjoy the countless memories you have created over the years with your dad.

Carol Sente

January 1, 2014

Offering my condolences to the entire Clonts family for the loss of your beloved Ron. May the love of family, friends, and Gods promise to wipe every tear from our eyes carry you through this time of grief.

January 1, 2014

DEAR, Clonts fam. As you go throught this difficult time the God of all comfort invites us to draw closer to him in prayer to help you to endure your loss (James 4:8) please accept my condolences.

January 1, 2014

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Memorial service

10:00 a.m.

Glenview Community Church

1000 Elm St., Glenview, IL

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