Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

Age 87, of Whitehall, was born into eternal life on March 20, 2024 surrounded by his family. Preceding Ron in death were his beloved parents and sister, Gertrude and Joseph Ciesieleski, and Shirley Miller.

Ron served as a First Sergeant in the United States Army from 1956-1959 with the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment Third Battalion, and was the recipient of a distinguished award for 2 1/2 years spent in Bad Hersfeld, Germany for Border Patrol. He served in the Reserves until 1962.

Ron was a faithful member of St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Catholic Church and lived a few houses away from the church for 55 years. He was a truck driver for the Pittsburgh Press, and then Post-Gazette, for over 30 years before retiring. Following his retirement he found much joy in working part-time delivering flowers for Colasante’s and leveraged his directional knowledge of the "streets of Pittsburgh" before GPS was prevalent.

Ron had a passion for sports and particularly the Steelers and Pirates. He was thrilled to take the mound at PNC Park in 2012 to throw out the first pitch. He had unwavering pride in his Polish heritage and his striking blue eyes twinkled with mischief. Ron never turned down a game of cards nor a serving of ice cream.

Ron had a gentle heart and infectious sense of humor but his greatest quality was selfless love. Up until his last 18 months before passing, he continued to fill his time helping others. Whether it was painting, washing cars, fixing things, taking people to appointments or running errands for others, he would never turn down a request. And in most instances, on little notice.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 62 years, Carol, and his children, Sandy Milan (Dan), Ron Shell, Jr. (Janice), Patty Shell (Maz Zrinyi), Chris Ninness, and Melissa Hayes (John); grandchildren, Anthony Milan, Lauren (Zach) Hunter, Jessika Shell, Michael Ninness, Joshua Ninness, Hunter Hayes, and Ryan Hayes; great grandchildren, Stark Hunter and Reed Hunter; brother Ed Cieleski; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 4201 Brownsville Road in Brentwood 15227 on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 3-8 p.m. Funeral prayer on Wednesday morning at 11:15. Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Hope Parish, St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Church, 5200 Greenridge Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15236 at 12:00 p.m. Ron will be laid to rest at National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

The family also wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Asbury Heights who took exceptional care of Ron during his time there. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Asbury Foundation, 700 Bower Hill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15243, www.asburyheights.org/giving-to-asbury/donate-to-asbury-heights/.