Ronnie L. VanWinkle

Ronnie Leonard VanWinkle, 77, of Smithville, MO, passed away, Sunday, February 6, 2011.

He was born on November 1, 1933 to John Leonard and Mary Louise (Ratliff) VanWinkle in Kansas City, Kansas. Ronnie grew up in Plattsburg and graduated from Plattsburg High School in 1951. He then served his country in the U.S. Navy for 10 years, during the Korean War, honorably discharged as a Engineman First Class Petty Officer.

On June 27, 1975 he was united in marriage to Janice Kaye Simpson. After their marriage they lived in Smithville, where they made their home.

In 1966 Ronnie began his insurance career in Smithville, owning and operating a successful State Farm Insurance Agency until the time of his death. He served as Alderman for the City of Smithville for eight years, and was later elected Mayor of Smithville and also served for eight years.

Ronnie was a member of the Smithville Christian Church in Smithville, where he served as an Elder. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 50 years, a member of the Moila Shrine Temple in St. Joseph, and a lifetime member of the VFW.

Ronnie was a loving father, grandfather, and was the most romantic husband.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ronnie is survived by his wife, Janice, of the home; son, Dean VanWinkle and wife, Cindy, Laura Craig and husband, Steve, Brad Dye wife, Debbie, Beth Cook, and husband, Terry; grandchildren, Kelly Lyon and husband, Jeff, Kyle and Klint VanWinkle, Cara Massie and husband, Tom, Cameron Craig and wife, Kesha, Brandon Dye, Alicia Hendry, Brandon Dowell, Brooke Dowell, and Kalyn, Kennedy, and Turner Cook; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, two dear cousins, Herbert “Sonny” Newman and Dorothy Lingo; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 10^th at the Smithville Christian Church.

Burial with Military Honors: Green Lawn Cemetery, Plattsburg, MO.

Masonic Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the church with visitation following until 9:00 p.m.

Donations may be made to the Shriner’s Children Hospital.

Arrangements, Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville.