RONALD DEAN VANKIRK

LIBERAL- Graveside services were held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at Shiloh Cemetery in Liberal for Ronald “Ronnie” Dean VanKirk, 81, Liberal, who died Friday, Aug. 23, 2024,at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin.

The family received friends from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, at Daniel Funeral Home in Lamar.

Contributions are suggested and made payable to Shiloh Cemetery, in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.

Survivors include his wife Karen, Liberal; one son, Phillip VanKirk and wife Tina, Lamar; three daughters, Melinda Adair and husband Duane, Pittsburg, Kan., Jeannie Cambers and husband Kevin, Neosho and Robyn VanKirk, Liberal; one honorary daughter, Amanda Davidson and husband Dusty, Liberal; six grandchildren, Shelby Luteka and husband Saul, Nairobi, Kenya, Shanda Waterson and husband Travis, Lamar, Kortney Neal and husband Cody, Kimberling City, Kelly VanKirk, Springfield, Bryce Cambers, St. Louis, Sammy May, Pittsburg, Kan. and honorary grandson, Rowdy Davidson, Liberal; one great-grandchild, Amara Luteka, Nairobi, Kenya; one brother, Ken VanKirk and wife Wai, Pittsburg, Kan. and one sister, Carolyn Pepper. Topeka, Kan.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Jimmy VanKirk, Gary VanKirk and Rick VanKirk and one brother-in-law, Doyle Pepper.

Mr. VanKirk was born Sept. 20, 1942, in Liberal, to Delbert Glenn VanKirk and Winifred Francis (Cullison) VanKirk. He was a 1960 graduate of Liberal High School. He married Karen Sue Bazil on Dec. 25, 1965, in Arkansas City, Kan.

He worked for Walmart as an assistant manager. He loved gardening and both the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals.