Ronald Dale Simpson, age 87, of Lamoni, Iowa, the oldest son of Dale and Florence Mae (McDaniel) Simpson, was born in Davis City, Iowa on February 13, 1936. He passed away on August 26, 2023, in Webster Groves, Missouri.

Ronald or Ron, as many people called him, attended four elementary schools through eighth grade and graduated from Leon High School in 1954. After graduation he did construction work in Leon and Kansas City, Missouri until he volunteered for the United States Army in June 1955.

Ron was united in marriage to Wanda Lea Peace on May 13, 1956. Wanda later joined him in Fort Lee, Virginia until his honorable discharge from the service in 1957. They were blessed with two sons, Kevin Wayne and Mark Allen.

Over the years Ron did several jobs within Grand River Mutual Telephone Company in Princeton, Missouri, starting as a lineman installer for the dial system. Then he moved to Osceola, Iowa and worked for Clarke County Telephone Company, which later sold to General Tele & Tele when a Grand River Mutual job opened up in Lamoni, Iowa. He applied, was hired, and retired from there 35 years later on March 1, 1998.

Ron was a member of the Lamoni United Methodist Church and served several years as one of the trustees and on the administration board. He loved to talk to and greet everyone who came to the services.

In his free time, Ron loved to hunt and fish, especially for large catfish. He coached Little League when his sons were young. He also enjoyed woodworking when it was too cold to hunt or fish. He enjoyed keeping himself busy. He always took the time to stop and talk to children.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Wanda on February 12, 2023; sister, Genevieve Isles; brothers-in-law, Richard Kline; and sisters-in-law, Vicky Simpson and Bonetta Moore and husband, Robert. Survivors include his sons, Kevin Simpson and wife, Donna, and Mark Simpson, all of the St. Louis, Missouri area; brothers, Kenneth Simpson of Kidder, Missouri, Frederick Simpson of Davis City, Iowa, and Darrell Simpson of Independence, Missouri; sisters, Janice Williams and husband, Ryland, Ferryl Simpson, Kathy Kline, and Barbara Silver, all of Independence, Missouri; brother-in-law, Bob Isles of Richmond, Missouri; many nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa at 10 a.m. Friday, September 1, 2023, with Pastor Kasey Vogel officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Iowa.

Memorials may be given to the Lamoni United Methodist Church in Ron’s memory.