DEXTER - Ronald Perley Fern, 83, went home to be with the Lord on April 17, 2021. He died peacefully at his home of Fern Road, the road on which he lived his entire life. Ron attended Dexter schools and worked for both the State of Maine Highway Department and Guilford Industries, and he was a 50 year member of the Garland Grange. Ron encapsulated the spirit of a lifelong farmer, caring exceptionally for his land, animals, and machinery. He was a quiet, yet deep feeling man, who epitomized what it means to be a true friend and dependable neighbor. He muttered the phrase "I love you" only a handful of times, but the deepness of his love for and devotion to his wife and family was never questioned. He was well known for his ability to fix old John Deere bailers, as well as pretty much anything else. For decades, he could be seen mowing the summer roadsides of Dexter and haying his own and many other fields. At age 70 he bought a skidder so he could increase the amount of wood he cut, and after 6 months in hospice care he turned his rollator's storage compartment into a full tool box and started building windmills, completing 10 in his last 3 months of life. Ron is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Rosena; his daughter and husband, Lori and Nic Koban of Wilton and their children Shaylynn and Zak; his son and wife, Alan and Xiaoli Fern of Corvallis, OR and their children Sophie, Alex and Dexter; and his daughter and husband Wendy and Keith Cote of Milford, NH and their children Caleb and Cooper. He is also survived by 1 brother, Bruce and wife Carol Fern of Bridgeport, CT; 3 sisters, Ethel Fern of Dexter, Marian and husband Clair Wood of Veazie, and Jo and husband Paul MacDonald of Carmel; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Fran Libby and Jean Rollins, as well as a brother, Newell (Tom) Fern. The family would like to thank Kindred Hospice for making his stay at home possible and comfortable. At 11 A. M. on Monday, April 26th, a funeral procession will leave from New Hope Baptist Church in Dexter, and will proceed up Fern Road to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, where a graveside service will be held. Tractors and antique cars are welcome in the procession! Following the committal, all are welcome to gather at New Hope Baptist Church in Dexter to share memories and refreshments. Arrangements are by Crosby & Neal, Dexter.