Ronald J. Belder

WHATELY - Ronald J. “Ron” Belder, 74, of North Street passed away Tuesday, January 13, 2026. Ronald was born May 22, 1951, a son of the late Floyd and Bertha (Oliver) Belder. Ron grew up in Springfield, attending local schools and was a graduate of Springfield Technical High School. After graduating high school, he served in the National Guard. He moved to Whately at the age of 18, to work on the Dean Dairy farm on North Street, before it became the Belder Farm. He spent his entire life on the farm, arising at 3 a.m. to tend to the herd and chores, then on to the Town of Whately where he worked for the DPW for 31 years. He retired from the Town of Whately in 2017. Ronald was a lifetime member of the Whately Grange. He loved sports and enjoyed watching the Red Sox. Ron was a life member of the Whately Grange. He will be greatly missed by his siblings; Roberta Garlick and her husband Raymond, Brian Belder and his wife Christine, Kevin Belder, William Belder, Ellen Isham and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his brother Gary Belder and sister Penny Belder. Calling hours for Ron will be held at AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, Northampton on Wednesday January 21, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a Funeral Home Service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Jack Cooper. Burial will follow at Center Cemetery, Whately. Donations may be made to the Whately Grange, #414, c/o Ruth Leahey, 18 Long Plain Rd., South Deerfield, MA. 01373 or Whately Fire Department, c/o 63 Christian Lane, South Deerfield, MA. 01373