Ron N. Irwin

Ronnie N. Irwin, age 89, of Brighton, passed away peacefully March 20, 2022. He was born January 15, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan; son of Louverne Irwin and Ocie Lucille Brooks. Ron was united in marriage to Barbara A. Swirles on July 25, 1980.

He was an Instructor at Motech Institute occasionally and after 26 years, he retired from AMC/Chrysler and went to work for Ford, providing diagnostic advice/consultation for their global service centers.

Ron was not known to shy away from an opportunity to be light-hearted. He was well known for his old-school work ethic. He loved to stay busy and was passionate about building and creating things. As an engineer with AMC (later Chrysler), he had the privilege of working on the AMC Racing Team, developing engines for MIS and various race teams. And most fun, helping develop potential future cars - projects that provided opportunities to bring home many special and experimental cars, which was a highlight for the neighborhood kids growing up. He proudly served in the Air Force from 1952 – 1956, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant and was Crew Chief of a B47 Bomber.

Ron was a member of the American Legion Post 235 in Brighton.  He enjoyed being outdoors and on the water. He was very creative and loved learning new things and would regularly take classes that included painting, ceramics, woodworking, leather working, stained-glass, ironwork, and more. When the old oak tree fell in the backyard, he built a desk and file cabinet out of it - “What else would you do!?”

Ron is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Barbara A. Irwin; his sons, Neil (Michele) Irwin, Mark (Terri) Irwin, and Dean (Leslie) Irwin; his stepchildren, Carol (Kevin) Bizwell and Robert Swirles; his siblings, Jack Irwin and Marilynn Cottrell; and his grandchildren, Jeremy, Jamie (Matthew), Adam, Ian, Liza, Amanda, and Nicholas. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Rhonda, and his brother Donald Irwin.

The Visitation will be held Friday, March 25, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service at 5:00 p.m. at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at Michigan Memorial Park Cemetery in Flat Rock.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Shriners Hospitals for Children , attn: processing center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394.