Ronald West

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Ronald Lyle West, 75, of Owensville died Monday, Sept. 17, 2018 at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City under Hospice Care.

He was born Oct. 20, 1942 to Roy and Tillie (Korff) West in Rosebud, Missouri. He was united in marriage to Karol Kaye Homfeldt Sept. 18, 1965 at St. Peter’s UCC in Owensville.

After graduating from Owensville High School, Ron enlisted in the US Army, serving in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Later, he worked in construction, eventually starting his own business of Ron West Ditching and Excavating. In the 1980’s he began working for Gasconade County, serving as its road superintendant for 25 years. He retired in 2007.

Ron was an avid hunter and fisherman. In his spare time he was a taxidermist who mounted deer heads and other animals. His business was R & R Taxidermy. He gave that up several years ago due to health reasons, and turned his attention to his organic gardening. His vegetables fed his family, his neighbors, and friends.

But Ron’s greatest love was spending time with his family. He and his grandsons spent many enjoyable times on the golf course. He loved attending the sporting events that his grandchildren were involved in: golf, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball, and cheerleading.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Tillie, and siblings Nina Kugler and Terry West. He is survived by his wife Kaye, his grandchildren Zane West-Derby, River West-Derby, and Marissa West-Derby of the home; his daughter Ronda Mendenhall and husband James of Berger; his brother Larry of Vichy; sister-in-laws Nancy Wallace and husband Pat of Pendleton, Ore., Reta Williams and husband Curt of Olathe, Kan., and Susan (Homfeldt) Botkin of Mansfield, Ark. Also surviving him are 10 nieces and nephews and their families from Missouri, Oregon, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Virginia, and Ohio.

Visitation for Ron will be Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, at 4-8 p.m. at Gottenstroetter Funeral Home; a celebration of life will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Stephanie deLong officiating.

Arrangements entrusted to Gottenstroetter Funeral Home in Owensville.