Ronald Gale Achterberg, 92, of Germantown Hills, IL, passed away at 8:04 PM on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Apostolic Christian Skylines, Peoria, IL. 

He was born on March 21, 1934, in Peoria, IL, to Frederick and Ruth Achterberg. He married Lilliann L. Woods on December 30, 1957, and they enjoyed 60 years of marriage until her death.

Ronald was a self-employed home builder for the majority of his life and served one term as President of the Home Builders Association of Greater Peoria. His workmanship was second to none, as reflected in the many homes he built in Central Illinois. He was later employed at OSF St. Francis, where he retired as a facilities manager.

He was an avid and competitive runner and won countless awards over the decades he ran. When his running years ended, he took up biking and thought nothing of hopping on his bike and riding for miles and miles, something he continued until his mid 80s. He loved his exercise class and classmates at the Riverplex, participating in the church choir, and reading and studying archeology, with a special interest in Egyptian and Native American history. He also loved hiking the mountains in Colorado and walking the beaches of Sanibel Island. He could often be found working in his yard and sitting on the deck afterward, enjoying a glass of wine or a beer. He will live on in our memories forever.

Ron is survived by his four children, Linda (Ray) Khattar, Scott (Amy) Achterberg, Jennifer (Rocko) Johnson and John (Marie) Achterberg, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife and one brother.

The family expresses their heartfelt and unending gratitude to the staff at AC Skylines, Salem Wing, where he received outstanding care and attention in his final year, the staff of OSF Hospice Care for their compassion, and Pastor Barry Long for his faithful service.

Services will be held Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Peoria, with a visitation from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. and the funeral at 11 a.m. Pastor Barry Long will officiate. Inurnment will immediately follow at Swan Lake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to AC Skylines Salem Wing, the Nature Conservancy, or Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church.