Ronnie Charles Childers, born on April 28, 1946 in Koshkonong, Missouri. He departed this life on February 1, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, while being held by his loving wife and daughter.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his father-Ivory Childers, Mother-Edna Childers, Sisters-Barbara Allen and Ruby Sloan and one Brother-J.D. Childers. Ronnie is survived by his wife Kay Childers, Alton, Missouri, his only child, Jeanette Childers Engelbrecht and her spouse, Dale Engelbrecht of West Plains, one grandson (referred to as son), Zackary Wheeler and his fiancé’ Shelbie Roberts of Alton, Missouri, their two children, and Ronnies two great grandchildren, and joy of his life, Harper Jo Wheeler and Branch Haysen Wheeler.
Ronnie and Kay met one another on a blind date. They both described it as love at first sight and six months later, were united in marriage on June 3, 1966. Ron and Kay were always together; inseparable. They loved taking country drives, going to church and you might have seen them at one of the local restaurants. They were the true example of what love really is and a prime example of what marriage should look like. Jeanette was truly blessed to be his daughter. He was a man full of wisdom; he taught by example. One of the most meaningful, silent, life lessons he taught was in the way he never spoke ill of anyone throughout his life.
Ronnie was a family man through and through; he adored his family. If you were blessed with being his friend; you were family to him. His friends referred to him as “Hoppy.” In the 70’s and 80’s, Ron and Kay spent most of their spare time on the Eleven Point River fishing and floating with Sonny and Shirley Smith. Ron and Kay loved deer camp with the Childer’s clan at Uncle Ralph’s farm. In the 90’s their first grandchild, Zack, was born and Ronnie’s world changed—he loved his grandson and it showed in everything he did; a year later, Ronnie’s name changed to Pa-pa. Ronnie was a truck driver and logger for more than twenty years for Don Scott, James Frost, and Dennis and Doyle Frost. Thereafter, he was employed with Best Propane — where he retired. Ronnie served with distinction in the United States Army as well at the National Guard. He served his country during a tour to Vietnam. He received solemn distinctions, after greatly sacrificing himself in the line of duty. Ronnie was a decorated soldier and received the following decorations, medals, badges and commendations: National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantry badge, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, one overseas bar, Marksman-rifle, Vietnam Campaign Medal W/DVC 60, Air Medal and 1 Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster.
Services will be 1pm Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the Clary Funeral Home, Alton, MO, with Bro. Darrell Mitchell and Paul Howell officiating. Visitation will be from noon until service time on Wednesday at the funeral home. Following the service, burial will be in the Bailey Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Zack Wheeler, Dale Engelbrecht, Rocky Holesapple, Rocky Holesapple II, Jerry Wheeler, Daryl Childers
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodby so hard.” A.A. Milne
“Perhaps they are not stars but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones shines down to let us know they are happy.” – Inuit Legend
“In the end it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Abraham Lincoln
