Ronald Wilson Terrill, 79, of Belle, went to be with his heavenly Father on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at St. Mary’s Health Center in Jefferson City after a short battle of cancer.
He was born July 7, 1944, to the late Russell and Lucille (Enloe) Terrill in Osage County.
He was married to Sharon (Durbin) Terrill, Aug. 31, 1968. To this union, one daughter, Rhonda Kay (Terrill) Rodgers, was born on their 1st year wedding anniversary Aug. 31, 1969. Sharon preceded him in death Sept. 23, 2016. Ronnie found love again and married Diane Rector, Oct. 24, 2020. She survives at home.
He graduated from Belle High School in 1962. After graduation, Ronnie worked at O’Sullivan’s in Owensville, and on the family farm. He attended Linn State Technical College, earning a degree in drafting and design. Upon graduation, he worked at MoDOT as a draftsman designing bridges. He worked for Howard Dahms and August Rieke in the feed store hauling feed and livestock; and on weekends he drove a livestock truck for Clyde Elrod, hauling stock to the stockyards in East St. Louis. Ronnie later worked for the Maries County Sheriff’s Department as a dispatcher and then a deputy; until becoming the treasurer for Maries County, a position he held for 20 years. After a short break he then went to work for the Maries County Road Department, becoming a supervisor before retirement. He continued to work there part-time until his diagnosis. In 1980 Ronnie and Sharon also opened the local feed store, Belle Feed Mill, Inc. and started a trucking business which they ran for 17 years. In 1987, they took on a new adventure and purchased the old lumber yard building in Belle.
Ronnie loved his community and would donate or give his talents to help wherever needed. Ronnie and Sharon started the Highgate 4H Club in 1977 and were also club and project leaders. He was a proud member of the Belle Fair Board for 40 years, serving as president for 14 years; had served on the Maries County University Extension Council, also serving as president; was given the Degree of Honorary Chapter Farmer from the Belle FFA Chapter; and was an active member of Crossroads Baptist Church.
Ron had a passion for farming and owned a Century Farm. He loved checking his cows, riding his gator around the farm with Diane and helping his neighbors. He loved watching westerns and soap operas, with his favorites being The Tales of Wells Fargo, Gunsmoke, Young and the Restless, and Bold and the Beautiful. He also enjoyed bowling, having bowled in a league for several years.
Ronnie’s greatest love was his family, friends, and his grandchildren. Ronnie was a kind, soft hearted man who never met a stranger. He always had a smile and hug to give and a joke or story to tell. He was a patient man who was known by fellow fair board members as the “peace maker.” Ronnie will be missed by the community, his family and all who loved him.
He was preceded in death by parents, Russell and Lucille; wife, Sharon; mother and father-in-law, Chester and Sophia Durbin; and brother, Dean Terrill.
Ronnie is survived by wife, Diane Rector of the home; daughter Rhonda Rodgers (Adam) of Belle; step-children, Steven Rector (Tina) of Fair Grove, Dana Koch (Glenn) of Bland, and Rachel Russell (Andy) of Brighton; grandchildren, Nicholas Brewer (Allyson) of Gerald, Thomas Brewer (Megan) of DeSoto, Lynsey Miller (Caleb) of Fair Grove, Austen Rector of North Carolina, Kelsey and Olivia Koch of Bland, and Jaseton Rodgers, Marley and Vera Russell of Brighton; great-grandchildren, Owen and Mabel Brewer and Suttyn Miller; sister-in-law, Brenda Brokaw (Rick) of Winfield; special “son,” Wes Hafner; and best friends/neighbors, Herb and Melinda Barch; all of Bland along with nieces; nephews, extended family members and friends.
Funeral Services were held Saturday, Jan. 6, at Crossroads Baptist Church, with Dennis Spurgeon and Kevin Runge officiating. Interment was in Countryside Memorial Gardens near Owensville.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family of Ronnie Terrill.
Arrangements are under the direction of Sassmann’s Chapel, Belle.
