CHRISTOPHER – Ramon Roddy Bione, 86, of Christopher, Ill., died Jan. 18, 2026, at Manor Court in Carbondale.
He was born May 28, 1939, to Angelo and Chloe Bione. He graduated from Christopher Community High School in 1957. He grew up working with his family at Bione Truck Service, where he learned the value of hard work and responsibility. In 1971, he purchased and began operating the business, continuing the family legacy.
In 1968, he met Diana Moyers. They were married Aug. 30, 1973, and shared 52 years together.
Bione dedicated his life to service. In his early 20s, he joined the fire department and later served as fire chief for 10 years. His service began earlier when he served in the National Guard during his junior and senior years of high school before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1958. He also served on the executive board of the Coal Belt Fire Protection Association and participated in Civil Defense. He was a lifetime sponsor of Ducks Unlimited.
Survivors include his wife, Diana Bione; a niece and nephew, Jill (Moyers) Beaver and Steve Beaver, whom he considered a son; great-nieces: Amanda (Neal) Evilsizer and Ashton (Tyler) Parrish, whom he viewed as grandchildren; great-great-nieces, Amma and Rosie Parrish; bonus grandson, Brian Evilsizer; and his dog, Izzy.
Additional survivors include his brother, Angelo (Debbie) Bione of Lawrenceville, Ga.; sister-in-law, Shirley Bione of The Woodlands, Texas; nephews: John (Kelly) Bione of Red Bud, Ill., and Steve (Wendy) Bione of O’Fallon, Ill.; niece, Susan Bione of Dayton, Texas; niece, Rhonda (Allen) Barlow of Orange Park, Fla.; niece, Shelly (Jeff) Kight of Lexington, S.C.; nephew, Steve (Carla) Stone of Middleburg, Fla.; nephews: Jaime (Antoinette) Moyers of Zeigler, Ill., and Jason (Marion) Moyers of Marion, Ill.; along with several great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Guido and Margherita Bione and Thurman and Alice Roddy; his parents, Angelo (Dorothy) Bione and Chloe (Glenn) Burnett; a brother, Donald Bione; and William “Bill” Morgan. He also was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Rufus and Emily Moyers; brother- and sister-in-law, Sam and Yvonne Moyers; and sister-in-law, Marlene Stone.
Funeral services will be Jan. 24, 2026, at Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher, with Brother Don Wright officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the service at 1 p.m. Burial will be in Zeigler City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Veterans Honor Flight.
More information is available at gilbertfuneralhomes.com.