Ronald Ralph Wilder

Ronald Ralph Wilder Ronald Ralph Wilder, 86, passed away on July 11, 2018, at the Northcare Hospice Center, in Kansas City, Missouri. Ron, the son of Ralph Morris Wilder and Helen Lorraine Wilder, was born on September 5, 1931, in Garber, Oklahoma. As a young child until his last days, Ron enjoyed learning, reading, and activities to keep his mind sharp, more recently playing bridge and daily crosswords. With an endearing love for education, Ron began his schooling at the age of five in the second grade. Although the smallest kid in class, Ron's devotion to the classroom and higher education proved mighty. In 1947, at the age of 15, Ron graduated from Chillicothe High School and attended the Chillicothe Business College, graduating in 1948.   At 16, Ron set sail to Notre Dame University graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. This began Ron's deep admiration for his alma mater and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team. Ron shared this love inviting several friends and family members to attend football games throughout the years. From 1952 to 1954, Ron served in the U.S. Army at the Finance School and Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. During this time, he wed his life partner, Darlene Bowman, on June 20, 1954. After discharge, they returned to Chillicothe and became owners and managers of Industrial Equipment Co., along with his mother Lorraine Wilder. A family business which began in 1937, selling batteries and rewinding electric motors out of the trunk of a car, flourished into a well-respected business serving farmers and customers in Chillicothe and surrounding communities. As a small-business owner, Ron was often seen at the storefront, south of Chillicothe. However, Ron and Darlene made it a priority to spend time with children and grandchildren aside from the family business. His time away was often spent at their lake house at the Lake of the Ozarks. He was frequently found on the deck, sipping coffee, reading the Kansas City Star, and doing his daily crosswords. He also enjoyed making memories on family vacations, including taking his grandchildren to experience Disney World, the Opryland Hotel in Nashville and more. After 41 years in the family business, Ron sold Industrial Equipment Co. in 1995 and began a career in real estate with EST Realty until his retirement in 2007.   Ron and Darlene were both active members of the United Methodist Church in Chillicothe. His strong faith and servant heart were often seen in his years of volunteer roles. As a small-business owner, Ron strongly believed in community. He began his long history of civic involvement with the Chillicothe Jaycees, which he joined shortly after returning home in 1954 as a charter member. He served as the local president, state vice president, and national director of the organization and was the local president when the National Corn Picking Contest was held in Chillicothe in 1960. After reaching the Jaycee retirement age of 36, he was active in the Chamber of Commerce. He served as secretary and president of Chillicothe Industrial Development Corporation for a number of years and was a member of the Chillicothe Municipal Utilities board of directors from 1971 to 1993, serving as president for the last several years. He is currently serving as secretary of the Livingston County Community Foundation. In recent years, Ron has become very active with RSVP and the Grand River Multi-Purpose Center, serving on the board of Concerned Citizens, delivering meals to homebound individuals, screening for Operation Help, driving senior citizens to hospital and doctor visits with Provide a Ride, hosting Mudcat players in the summers, serving as a vice-president of the Grand River Historical Society Museum board, and as a member of the Livingston County Senior Services committee which administers the recently passed Senior Tax. He was selected Outstanding Jaycee in 1960, won the Distinguished Community Service Award from the Chamber of Commerce in 1988, and the Male Volunteer of the Year Award from RSVP in 2013.   Ron was preceded in death by his beloved wife on December 11, 2005, and his parents. He is survived by three children, Connie Maberry and husband James of Dawn, Doug Wilder of Plano, Texas, and Marcia Gutshall and husband Dennis of Trenton. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Aaron Maberry and wife Samantha of Dawn, Missouri, Jennifer Maberry of Liberty, Missouri, Stephanie Eckler and husband Kyle of Shelbyville, Missouri, Aimee Cope and husband Sam of Jonesburg, Missouri, and Ryan, Meagan and Reagan Wilder of Plano, Texas, and six great-grandchildren, Grace and Ethan Maberry of Dawn, Ella and Etta Eckler of Shelbyville, and Clayton and Elton Cope of Jonesburg.   A celebration of Ron's life will be held at the United Methodist Church, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Saturday, July 14, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. A scheduled visitation will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, July 13, 2018, from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, July 13, 2018, from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. Burial will be held at Edgewood Cemetery, Chillicothe, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to Operation Help and/or the Grand River Multi-Purpose Center Building Fund and/or the Grand River Historical Society Museum and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com .   Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.