Ronny Ray Shadden

Ronny Ray Shadden, 83, of North State Street, Salamanca, NY passed away Monday, December 16, 2024 at Olean General Hospital.

Born April 29, 1941 in Salamanca, NY, he was the third and youngest child of the late Forest and Irene Whitmer Shadden. On May 28, 1977, he married the love of his life, Rosemary Leder Toennies who predeceased him in 2021.

In his youth, Ron was a pharmaceutical salesman in Buffalo and Cheektowaga, NY. He attended the Police Academy and was hired by the Salamanca Police Department in 1974, where he worked for 30 years as both an Officer and an Investigator, retiring as a Lieutenant. He proceeded to work for the Ellicottville Police Department and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff's Department, retiring in 2017. He was very proud to serve his community for 43 years.

He loved spending time with his family, his three dogs, Mia, Mikey, and Trouble, and his cat, Snowball. He enjoyed dancing, woodworking, fishing, volunteering for various causes with his wife, and was a licensed amateur radio operator. His call letters were KC2 TCW. He was also a NASCAR fan, and one of his favorite memories was getting the opportunity to race in a stock car. Ron had a registered wildlife sanctuary in his backyard, and he loved feeding the wild birds.

He was a member of the Police Benevolent Association, the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535, the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296, and the Holy Cross Athletic Club, Salamanca, NY.

Surviving are: his daughters, Theresa R. (Kenneth) Baginski, Randolph, NY, Sally A. (Max Jr.) Bullers, Olean, NY, Marti S. (Jon) Haslauer, Little Rock, AR; children, Ronny Shadden, Jr., Richard Shadden, and Michele Shadden.; twelve grandchildren, Crystal Nyznyk, Jessica Foy, Erin and Cory Bullers, Cara Haslauer Everheart, Ryan, Luke, Noah, Anna, Paul, Mary, and Mark Haslauer; thirteen great-grandchildren, Jaida Mendell, Charlotte Spaulding, Tatiana and Brandon Warmley, Zayden Bullers, Korban, Kenna, Bailey, Dylan, and Dawson Wise, Ava and Olivia Everheart, and Aydden Graves; nephews, Chuck Woodworth, Salamanca, NY, Raymond Woodworth, Gowanda, NY, Scott Shadden, Carson City, NV; nieces, Lisa Shadden, Kristina Shadden Tombropoulos, Julie Shadden, all of Carson City, NV.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Rosemary, his sister, Belva J. Shadden Woodworth, brother, Walter E. Shadden, aunt and uncle, Thomas and Cecelia Wyatt, niece, Janine Woodworth Duhan, and nephew, Edwin “Jamie” Woodworth.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 from 4 – 6pm and Thursday from 10 – 11am, at which time funeral services will be held with Rev. Richard Hewitt of the United Methodist Church, Holland, NY, officiating.

Burial will be in Green Cemetery, Great Valley, NY at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the SPCA, 2944 NY-16, Olean, NY 14760 or the Police Benevolent Association, 68 Court St, Buffalo, NY 14202.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.