ASHLAND – Ronnie Lee Espling, 62, died unexpectedly Aug. 21, 2011, at a Presque Isle hospital. He was born July 22, 1949, in Caribou, son of Gustaf Adolph and Melva (McBreairty) Espling.
Ronnie was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and was a member of American Legion Post, Waterville. He was employed as a truck driver for most of his life, mostly in the lumber industry, either for himself or area logging companies. Ronnie loved the outdoors, whether hunting, fishing or at his camp at Squa Pan. Family was of utmost importance to him, and he just adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In addition to his mother of Caribou, he is survived by his wife of 26 years, Sandra (Suitor) Espling of Ashland; one son, Ronnie Espling Jr. of Ashland; one daughter, Michelle Daigle and husband, Donald, of Truro, Nova Scotia; three stepdaughters, Dawn Cookson of Newport, Michelle Clark and husband, Jeff, of Garfield, and Tracy Howes of Strafford, N.H.; one stepson, Guy Howes of Ashland; two sisters, Shelly Thompson of Caribou and Brenda Sleeper of Massachusetts; 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. In addition to his father, he was predeceased by one brother, Paul Espling; and one sister, Donna Jonkoff.
Family and friends are invited to a graveside committal service 2 p.m. Friday at Maine Veterans Cemetery, Lombard Road, Caribou, with Pastor Nathan Gardiner officiating. Those who wish may contribute in his memory to American Cancer Society, Northern New England Region, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086. Arrangements are a service of Stimson-Ouellette Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St., Ashland. To leave online condolences, please visit
www.ouellettefuneralhome.com.