Bettye Ann Ronk

Bettye Ann (Sandefur) Ronk, 75, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2019, at Deaconess Gateway Hospital with her family at her side. She was born June 14, 1943, in Union Co., Kentucky to the late Thomas and Margaret (Waggener) Sandefur of Henderson, Kentucky.

Bettye was a graduate of Henderson High School in 1961. Dave and Bettye began their life together in Hermosa, California working for Greg Knoll Surfboards. They moved to the Hawaiian island of Oahu starting their own business, Island Surfboards, crafting custom surfboards. Professional surfer, Leah Dawson, created a wonderful tribute video in April of 2013 titled, “Peanut Butter,” about a surfboard created by Dave and Bettye Ronk in 1971 at Island Surfboards.

Bettye returned to the mainland after Dave’s death to live among family and friends and spent the last 18 years of her life as a quadriplegic after an accident in Colorado. She was a long-time member of the VFW Ladies Axillary and enjoyed researching the family genealogy, traveling, sewing, country music and reading mysteries.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 24 years, Honolulu Police Officer David “Dave” Nicholas Ronk; daughter, Stacey Lynn Ronk; brother, David Sandefur; and friend, Timothy Brown.

She is survived by her brother, Michael Lynn Sandefur and his wife Aprile, of Evansville, Indiana; Aunt Virginia “Ginny” Sandefur of Portland, Oregon; numerous cousins and favorite companion dog, Mia.

Proverbs 10:7 Good people will be remembered as a blessing…

The family would like to extend a special thank you for the loving, compassionate friendship provided to Bettye by Sheila Stambush, Dee Koberstein, Emily Baker, Jill Scott, Janea Wagler, Lindsey Deig, Brittany Finch, Hannah Quirey, Lauren Grabert, Renee Titzer, Carlene and John Gabe of Henderson, Kentucky, Glen and Ruth Powell of Haleiwa, Hawaii and Jo and Jack Sterling of Palm Springs, California; and to the Deaconess VNA Home Care staff, Deaconess Gateway Hospital physicians and staff, and Dr. Mary Ann Bieker for their kind and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorial contributions to Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center at 3701 Bellemeade Avenue, Evansville, Indiana 47714.

A memorial service and inurnment will take place at Mililani Memorial Park’s cemetery in Waipahu, Hawaii. Section K

Aloha Bettye, rest in peace as you are now with our Lord Jesus Christ.

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