Ronald J. Shopinski

Ronald J. "RJ" Shopinski 77, of 320 North Oak Street, went to his Heavenly home on Saturday, November 20, 2021 in Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital with his wife by his side.

Born in the Shamokin State Hospital on March 13, 1944, he was the son of the late Raymond and Irene (Agatha Savadge) Shopinski Paumer.

On October 11, 1986 he married the LOVE of his life, the former Virginia Jarosiewicz (Strausser). Their love and bond lasted for 35 wonderful years. They always took care of one another and stayed deeply in love.

Ron was of the Catholic Faith. Ron graduated from MCHS class of 1962 and was a Life Member of the Mt Carmel School Alumni Association.

He was known for his involvement in working with area youth through Scouting, the BPO Elks and Fraternal Order of Eagles youth programs. He was past Exalted Ruler and past Secretary of the former Mt. Carmel Elk's Lodge #356, and a past Trustee. In 2020, Ron received from the Grand Lodge the Distinguished Citizenship Award for Outstanding and Meritorious Service to Humanity.

Ron was also a member of Cedar Lodge 378 of Mount Carmel and a 32nd Degree member of the Caldwell Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Bloomsburg. He was a member of the Consistory's Choir and helped with the conferral of various degrees. He was also a Royal Arch Mason in the York Rite, a member of Griscom Lodge 219 in Ashland. In the York Rite he attained the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross and the Knights of Malta. He was then dubbed a Knight and constituted a Knight Templar at Baldwin II Commandery #22 in Williamsport. He belonged to the Prince of Peace Commandery #39 in Ashland.

Ron was a member of the Mount Carmel Centennial of Lights Committee, the Mount Carmel 150th Anniversary, Sesquicentennial Committee, and the Mount Carmel Area Historical Society.

Ron was retired from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation after 33 years as a heavy equipment operator. After retiring, he later drove for Tri-State Envelope Company of Ashland. He worked for the Federal Census Bureau during the 2000 Census.

Ron served as Constable for over forty-five years in the fourth ward in Mt. Carmel, and then as Judge of Election for a number of years. Ron was an avid hiker and sectioned hike the Appalachian Trail from Virginia to Maine, a distance of 1,329.9 miles. He was an Amateur Radio Operator, N3KFV, and talked to many people all over the world, including King Hessian of Jordon, Arthur Godfry of radio and TV fame, and Senator Barry Goldwater. He occasionally talked to the Astronauts and Cosmonauts who were Ham Operators aboard the Space Shuttles and Stations. He was a member of the Community Watch Program, and co-chairman of the Mt. Carmel Emergency Management Agency.

Ron was involved with Scouting since he was a Boy Scout 165 of Holy Cross Church, where he earned his Religious Award and AD ALTARE DEI. He also was awarded the Heroism Award for saving a man's life. Later on, he was an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 176, a Den Leader for Cub Scout Pack 3178, and then Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 174; which totaled fifty plus years. He received the George Meany Award, Masonic Scouting Award, and The Daniel Carter Beard Award. He was a Wood Badge member of The Clan McLaren Society of North America and Scotland, earning his Wood Badge Beads in 1988 and Kilted in 2012. Ron was a Counselor for the Ad ALTARE DE1 and a Moderator for the Pope Pius XII Religious Awards.

In addition to his loving wife, Virginia, he is survived by his stepson and daughter-in-law, Jason and Michele Strausser; five step grandchildren, Jason and his partner Rose Sandoval, Talon and Bryn Strausser, Derek Kranzel who he helped raise, and Shawn Spotts. He has a great-granddaughter, Keia Resendes, and a great-grandson, Ezra Strausser. Also surviving are his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ruth and Joseph Bordell, sister-in-law, Diane Jarosiewicz, and many nieces and nephews. Ron is also survived by four half-sisters, Joela Lord of Lancaster, Lidia Strohecker of Halifax, Linda Paumer of Amhurst, VA, Gloria Strohecker of Halifax, and a half-brother, Ed Paumer of Halifax.
In addition to his parents he was proceeded in death by his grandparents, Ray Sr. and Eva Shopinski; two great aunts, Elsie Recce and Rose Mozaka with whom he was raised; a half-sister, Peggy Paumer; a stepson, Charles "Chuckle" Strausser; a brother-in-law, Jeffery Jarosiewicz, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward and Betty Jarosiewicz.
Religious services will be held on Saturday morning, November 27, 2021 at 11:00 am in the Joseph J. Stutz, Inc. Funeral Home, 40 S. Market St., Mount Carmel, Joseph J. Stutz, III Supervisor. Rev. Francis J. Karwacki will officiate. A visitation will be held on Saturday morning from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made to the Mount Carmel Public Library, 30 South Oak St., Mount Carmel, PA 17851. To leave a condolence for the family, please leave a condolence on the Tribute Wall at www.stutzfuneralhome.com.