Ronald Raubenstraw

YOUNGSTOWN — It is with heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of Ronald “Ron” Raubenstraw on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026.

Ron was born Sept. 23, 1952, in Berea, a son of Wallace M. Raubenstraw and the former Mary J. Treml. 

Ron didn’t just enter a room; he brightened it. He was a friend to every stranger he met. He lived full of love and joy.

He attended Berea Senior High School in 1971 and graduated from Ohio University in 1975.

A career in communications started at WKBN and continued through the transition from Clear Channel to iHeartMedia. He used his creativity and charisma in his years in sales to remain a key contributor and top performer.

Ron was on the board at Potential Development and Canfield United Methodist Church. He was also a member of Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and drove a Harley for 30 years.

Ron married the love of his life, Linda Barwick, in 2016, and together they lived a lifetime of memories through travel and joyful gatherings. He was as thoughtful and as loving a husband as anyone could have. If you asked, he did it and beyond.

Family and friends were his life. He adored his three sons, Ryan Raubenstraw of Boardman, Christopher (Heather) Raubenstraw of Athens and Tyler Raubenstraw of Cleveland; as well as two beautiful grandchildren, Lucas and Lydia. He leaves siblings, Carol (Raymond) of Plainfield, Illinois, Sandy Ibach of Dallas, Texas, Sharon (Lyndon) Johnson of Cleveland and Nancy Jacobs of Mission, Texas. Ron was lifelong friends with George Mellen and Rick Gurrera. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Mary Treml Raubenstraw, and his first wife, Sue Raubenstraw. 

To think of Ron, one can only smile. We hold on to images of Ron as Santa, driving a cherry red Miata with the top down, dancing like no one is watching at a concert as an usher at JAC Covelli, scratching the belly of his fur babies and listening to REO Speedwagon while sipping on a Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

Ron will be missed by so many.

Calling hours will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at Canfield United Methodist Church. A funeral service will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Monday at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ron’s memory may be made to Potential Development, 2405 Market St., Youngstown, OH 44507. 

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel. Family and friends are invited to visit www.higgins-reardon.com to share memories and condolences.