RONALD ELLIS MAUCK

Ron was born November 15, 1940, in Wheeling, WV, the son of the late Julius and Edith Mauck.

In addition to his parents, he also was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou of 55 years, and one brother, Robert (Dell) Mauck.

Surviving Ron are his three children, Eric (Stacy) Mauck of Wheeling, WV, Jay (Melissa) Mauck of Valley Grove, WV, and Missy (Dwain) Zink of Wintersville, OH; grandchildren, Michael Mauck, Nathan Mauck, Alex Zink and Abigail Mauck; sister, Patty (Jim) Habermehl; brother-in-law, Mickey (Ruby) Cupp; sister-in-law, Rose Cupp; and several nieces and nephews.

Ron was a loving husband, father, grandfather, educator, administrator, tournament director, and community leader.

Beginning his connection to the mat sport as a manager for Coach Kovalick at Bridgeport High School and West Liberty State College, Ron entered the coaching ranks in 1965, starting the wrestling program at Follansbee High School.

Ron was selected to initiate the wrestling program at the newly consolidated Brooke High School in 1968. In addition, he created the OVAC dual meet standings in 1971.

Ron directed five West Virginia State Wrestling Tournaments (1979-1982-1983- 1986-1987) at the then-Wheeling Civic Center. He also served on the staff for the 1979 NAIA and 1984 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships when they were held in Wheeling.

An integral part of the OVAC, Ron also served as the All-Star Football Game director from 1985 until 2000. Ron served on numerous OVAC committees and boards, and he was instrumental in creating the OVAC Hall of Fame and Ohio Valley Sports Museum.

Ron was the recipient of the 1985 & 1997 Upper Ohio Valley Dapper Dan Robert D. McKelvey Award and Outstanding Achievement Award for director of the OVAC Football All-Star Game. At the OVAC Wrestling Tournament, Ron received the 1986 Mr. Mat Award.

In 1987, the West Virginia Wrestling Coaches Association named Ron the Wrestling Man of the Year. Following that he was named the 1995 West Virginia Athletic Director of the Year presented by the West Virginia Athletic Coaches Association. In 2001, Ron received the Super Six Football Committee H. V. Corcoran Sr. Award.

Ron was a member of numerous halls of fame. In 2006, he was inducted into the Brooke High School Wall of Fame, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (West Virginia Chapter) and the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.

Because of Ron’s direction and dedication to the mat sport, the OVAC named their annual wrestling tournament the “Ron Mauck Wrestling Tournament” in 2006.

Ron was named the West Virginia Wrestling Man of the Year by Wrestling USA Magazine in 2013. The OVAC Wrestling Coaches Association presented Ron its Lifetime Service Award in 2020. Ron also was inducted into the Brooke High School Athletic Hall of Fame and received the Shriners Hospitals for Children “100 Million Dollar Club” Award in 2021.

As a longtime member, Ron was selected two times as the Warwood Lions Club “Citizen of the Year.” He served as president of the West Virginia Safety Association, the Bridgeport High School Alumni Association, and the Warwood Junior High School Athletic Association. Ron is also a member of the Warwood Vets Club, where he was always ready to give a helping hand.

Ron has always been dedicated to the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference. He was actively involved in the Hall of Fame Committee, Museum Committee, Wrestling Coaches Committee, All-Star Football Game Committee, Wrestling Coaches Committee, Mr. Mat Committee, McDonald All-Star Band Committee and Coach of the Year Committee.

Ron retired as athletic director from Brooke County Schools where he spent 34 years dedicated to the students of Brooke County.

Ron’s retirement lasted a week when he decided to return to work as the director of The Home for Men in Warwood. He held that position for 18 ¢ years.

Ron enjoyed traveling with his late wife, Mary Lou, following the Mountaineers to many bowl games, and taking trips to Alaska, Costa Rica, the Canadian Rockies, Virgin Islands, baseball games around the country, as well as many excursions to the East and West coasts. Ron and Mary Lou also looked forward to their annual visits to Oglebay and Seven Springs, spending long weekends with family and friends.

Ron leaves us all inspired to work together for any cause, as he always encouraged everyone with his trademark inspiration, “I is an island stands alone but WE can accomplish amazing things,” which would be followed up by “make sure the spokes of the wheel are taut, so we have a straight path forward.”

Friends will be received from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 30th, and from noon until 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 31st, at Kepner Funeral Home, National Road at Bethany Pike, Wheeling, WV. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. September 1st at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 1508 Warwood Ave., Wheeling, WV, with the Rev. Paul Mundumoozhikkaranirappel, C.S.T. as celebrant. Entombment will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to OVAC Preservation Foundation, c/o Tom Rataiczak, 64962 Breezy Point Lane, Bellaire, Ohio 43906.