RONALD EUGENE SHEPHERD
December 11, 1930 – January 31, 2026
Ronald Eugene Shepherd, 95 of Kirksville, Missouri passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.
The son of Eugene Early Shepherd, Jr. and Velma Ruth (Gingerich) Shepherd, he was born on December 11, 1930 in Kirksville, Missouri. He was a graduate of the Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Missouri. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. During his time in the service, he served in the Korean Conflict from which he retired in 1954. He later joined the Air National Guard from which he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant (E7). He also worked as a civil service instructor at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois as a Jet Engine Accident Investigator for 30-35 years going all over the United States and some foreign countries with his work.
He was united in marriage to Helen Kerby on July 4, 1951 at the Lancaster Christian Church in Lancaster, Missouri and to this union 3 children were born, Nicholas, Paul and Rhonda.
Ronnie is survived by his children, Nicholas Shepherd and wife Laura of Harlington, Texas, Paul Shepherd and wife, Valerie of Fisher, Illinois and Rhonda Keith and husband, John of Fisher, Illinois; 9 grandchildren, Jessica Cox and husband, Devin, Kalyn Hodson and husband, Jaron, Jake Shepherd and wife, Tiffany, Luke Shepherd and wife, Lisa, Josh Shepherd and wife, Ashley, Todd Shepherd and wife, Jaclyn, Zak Shepherd and wife, Melissa, Noah Shepherd and Sofia Shepherd; 14 great grandchildren; 2 ½ great great grandchildren; one brother, Doug Shepherd and wife, Lisa of Lancaster, Missouri and one sister, Tamara Gore of Lancaster, Missouri; one brother-in-law, Harold (Bud) Kerby of Burlington, Alabama; the last eighteen years, he was blessed with another family, and leaving behind his best friend, Colleen Allen of Kirksville, Missouri and her family, Alan Linder and his wife, Brenda of Green Castle, Missouri, Sherri Lindquist and husband, Dan Welby of St. Louis, Missouri and Jeanna Delgado and husband, Steve of Arizona; 6 grandchildren, Koby Linder, Andrea Lindquist, Joshua Lindquist and wife, Talia, Maria Coleman and husband, Khodie, Kara Delgado, Nicholas Delgado and wife, Lauren; 5 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; other family members and many good friends.
Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Helen Shepherd; two brothers, Donald Dean in infancy and William Mike Shepherd; one sister, Rosemary Weldon and husband, Earl; nieces and nephews, Becky and Larry Cooper, Rick Weldon and Tom Cottey; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom Gore, Terry Kerby, Joe and Jeda Kerby, Maxine and Edwin Brunk and Yvonne Kerby.
Ronnie and Helen were members of the River Valley Church of Christ in Fisher, Illinois for a number of years.
Ronnie was an avid sports enthusiast for all sports but particularly baseball. He also was a Chicago Bears fan. He enjoyed coaching his sons’ baseball teams.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the River Valley Church of Christ (RVCC) in Fisher, Illinois with Jon Scott, Pastor of the RVCC in Fisher, Illinois officiating. Visitation will be held at the RVCC at 1:00 p.m. with services to follow at 2:00 p.m. Memorials have been established for RVCC. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh. com. Burial will be in the Willowbrook Cemetery in Fisher, Illinois. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri and the Rosenbaum Funeral Home in Gibson City, Illinois. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date in Lancaster, Missouri.
