Ronnie Stirsman, lovingly called "Papa Bear" by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, 77, of Madisonville, KY passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at Baptist Health Madisonville.

He was born on March 17, 1942 in Muhlenberg County to the late Lola Gladys Adkins Stirsman and Altha Stirsman. He retired as a coal miner from P&M Colonial Mines and was of the Baptist faith. Ronnie enjoyed old cars, going to cars shows and watching UK Basketball. Ronnie coached softball and he and his team won the 1980 State Championship.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brothers, Kenneth Stirsman, Alpha Stirsman, Jr., Russell Stirsman and W.A. Stirsman; sisters, Marjorie Jennings and Linda Bagby.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-six years, Jan Hatler Stirsman; daughters, Debbie (Trent) Blue and Angie (Mickey) Huddleston; brothers, Jerald Stirsman, Robert Stirsman and James Stirsman; sisters, Jeanette Pearson, Betty Favell and Mary Helen Oakley; granddaughters, Kasey (Chad) Baldwin and Ashley Flener; grandson, Dustin (Jessica) Blue; step-grandson, Michael (Stephanie) Huddleston; great-granddaughters, Hadley Baldwin, Elle Baldwin and Emarie Blue; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2020 in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home in Madisonville with Pastor Gary Taylor officiating and Pastor Jim Lantrip assisting. Burial to follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Madisonville.

The visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home and from 12 p.m. until the funeral hour Sunday at the funeral home.

The pallbearers are Dustin Blue, Chad Baldwin, Trent Blue, Mickey Huddleston, Justin Tabor and Greg Flener.