Ronald Dale Tanner

Mr. Ronald Dale ‘Ron’ Tanner, of Indianapolis, passed away on the early morning of Saturday, August 3, 2019. He was 76. Ron was born August 14, 1942 in Lebanon, Indiana, a son of the late Denzel Dale and Lillian Faye (Harding) Tanner.

Ron attended Southport High School and was a member of the graduating Class of 1960. He retired in 1995 as firefighter with the Perry Township Fire Department (now the Indianapolis Fire Department) after a career spanning 36 years. Ron started his career as a volunteer at the Perry Township Fire Department while still in high school. His dream of becoming a career firefighter was realized on March 1, 1966, as he became a chauffeur for the department. He achieved the distinction of Firefighter of the Year in 1976 for his actions during an apartment fire where he ultimately saved four young people. Ron was Chief of the department for six months in 1984. This was long enough for him to realize his calling was to be ‘on the streets’ and not in the office. He was able to provide for his family as he went through the ranks of the department and retired as a Captain in 1995.

Ron was a member of the Southport Lodge No. 270, F&AM; Scottish Rite, Valley of Indianapolis; The Order of the Amaranth, Golden Link Court No. 7 and the Indianapolis Retired Firefighters Club.

Ron is survived by his wife, Maryann Tanner; his sons, Dale (Melanye) Tanner, William (Deborah) Tanner and Daniel (Rebecca) Tanner; his grandchildren, Andrew (Dana) Tanner, Ashley (Kevin) Chaney, Alexander (Rachel) Tanner, Kaelah Tanner and Elijah Tanner as well as five great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in passing by a brother, Donald W. Tanner.

Services will be conducted at 11:00 am, Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the Singleton Community Mortuary and Memorial Center will burial following at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 8:00 pm, Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at the mortuary.

For those choosing to make a memorial contribution, the family has suggested those be offered to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

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