Ron Playle

Ron Playle, 80, died on January 18, 2018 in Des Moines. He was born on June 23, 1937 in Des Moines to Kenneth and Arlene (Horstman) Playle.

Ron attended Des Moines Technical High School, his core area was commercial art and he graduated in the top 15% of his class in 1955. He enlisted in the US Army in 1957 and served for 3 years. He was stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage Alaska and was trained to maintain Nike missile guidance systems. He worked for the US Postal Service for 10 years as a maintenance technician and specialized in Data General main frame computers. Ron was always the entrepreneurial type and he and first wife Diana started a mail order business which became his fulltime endeavor in 1976. He was also a lifelong postcard collector and dealer, and he launched his own online postcard auction website in 1997. Ron didn't retire and continued to be active in several online businesses with his sons Doug and David.

Ron always loved to travel to new places and in recent years he and wife Linda went on cruises all over the world, one of his favorite destinations was St. Petersburg, Russia. Introduced to Texas Hold’em poker by his cousin Kenny, Ron’s luck at completing his drawing hand on the last card was legendary and earned him the nick name of “River Ron”. He was a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and loved the Iowa State Fair. He touched many lives during his 80 years and will be greatly missed by those that knew him. Ronny is finally “Home again, home again, jiggity jig.”

Although born in different years Ron shares his June 23rd birthday with his sister Sheryl, even so he was known to forget her birthday from time to time. To improve his odds at remembering his wedding anniversary Ron intentionally chose to marry wife Linda on his birthday. So, it is only fitting that Ron’s memorial service be held on June 23, 2018 (time to be determined) at the Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; sons, Doug (Sarah) and David Playle; grandchildren, Alex, Ian, Andrea, Zach, Lauren, and Owen; great-grandson Xander; sister, Sheryl West; and mother of his children, Diana Playle.

He was preceded in death by his brothers Larry and Duane Playle; sister, Beverly Shahbazian; and his parents.

Memorial donations can be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Condolences are welcomed and can be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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