As received from the Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service. If you have questions about, or potential corrections to the content, please contact the funeral home directly.
Ronald E. Masters, 89, a longtime resident of the Copper Country, passed away on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Canal View Nursing Facility-Houghton County following a short illness.
He was born on December 2, 1935, in Hancock, MI, a son of the late John R. and Irene (Laurin) Masters. Ron was raised in Hancock and was a graduate of the Hancock Central High School class of 1955. Following graduation, he moved to Detroit, where he worked for Western Electric Company for one year returned to the Copper Country, where he was employed by Paynes News for five years on the delivery crew.
Ron was united in marriage to the former Esther Saatio. The couple resided in Hancock while Ron worked as an equipment operator at White Pine Copper Mine for 11 years. He later became a sales manager for WMPL and later WHDF Radio. For five years, Ron was the owner/operator of the Thomas Ristell Frozen Food Locker Plant and Meat Cutting Business. Ron would later work nine years as a truck driver for Bacco Construction Company. Ron and Esther moved to Powers, MI where Ron worked seven years as a Sawyer at the Cedar River Lumber Company. In 1988, Esther preceded Ron in death. Since 1992, Ron has made his home in the Copper Country and he had been a resident at Arbor Green for the past 22 years.
Mr. Masters was active in the area with the South Range Eagles Club, where he served as a member for 23 years and a trustee for the past 14 years. Ron was a well-known musician in the area for more than seven decades. Ron was the leader of various bands throughout his life, focusing on Country and Polka genres primarily. In his earlier years, Ron would perform live concerts on the radio and in his later years he and his Polka Drifters band would perform on WLUC TV-6. Ron was an avid sports fan and loved everything Detroit.
Preceding him in death were his wife Esther; his brothers, Bernard, Jack, Douglas, Russell, and Roger; his sisters, Shirley and Joan.
Surviving are his children; Ronald P. Masters of Houghton, MI, Kurt (Heather) Masters of Menominee, MI and Dr. Dean (Jeri) Masters, Major, USAF, Retired of Pine City, MN. There are nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The visitation will be from 2:00 until 4:00 on Saturday, August 30, 2025, with a short prayer service to follow.
To view Ron’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service-Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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