Ronald Dale Messinger, 77, of High Hill, MO, passed away at 6:00 PM on Sunday, October 25, 2020, at the St. Andrews Care Center in New Florence, MO.

MASKS REQUIRED Funeral services will be held at NOON on Friday, October 30, 2020, at the St. John's United Church of Christ in High Hill, MO. The Reverend Don Deeker will officiate and interment with full Military Honors will be held in the Hugo Cemetery near New Florence, MO. Special music will be provided by Dennis and Linda Richardson. Visitation will be held on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of service at the St. John's United Church of Christ in High Hill, MO. Casketbearers include Mike Messinger, Randy Schnell, Jimmy Jones, Justin McCormack, Kent Knudsen, and Ryan Knudsen. Honorary casketbearers include Mike Cumberland, Roy and Judy Carraway and Ed and Beth Scheid.

Ron was born April 4, 1943 in St. Louis, MO, a son of James Duard and Opal Frances (Morris) Messinger. He was a 1961 graduate of University City High School and then attended Northeast MO State Teacher's College in Kirksville, MO, receiving two master degrees in Administration and Counseling. In 1968 he was drafted in the Army during the Vietnam War and was discharged in 1970.

On July 16, 1988, he married Barbara Ann Knudsen. They celebrated over 32 years of marriage together.

He taught high school English for nine years. He retired from Ft. Zumwalt School District in June, 2000, after 31 years of teaching and counseling. He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ in High Hill, MO.

Barb and he enjoyed traveling and they visited all 50 states, went on four cruises, and enjoyed all their many bus trips. They also enjoyed going to antique malls and flea markets. He loved to shop and collected many different items. Ron loved to work in his yard and planted thousand of daffodils and hundreds of day lilies. He loved to play golf and collected many different golf items. Ron was also an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan. He loved his family and spending time with them.

Ron is survived by his three daughters and one son and their spouses. Andrea Cumberland and Mike of Summersville, SC; Mike Messinger and Shelley Karam of O'Fallon, MO; Kay McCormack and Justin of The Colony, TX; and Kelly Jones and Jimmy of Oak Grove, MO. Grandchildren surviving are Ashley Fullam and Tim of Summersville, SC; Mya, Ava, and Ty McCormack of The Colony, TX; Caden and Cameron Jones of Oak Grove, MO; and Ryan Knudsen of Columbia, MO. Also surviving are Barb's children: Kelli Schnell and Randy of Columbia, MO and Kent Knudsen and Lori of Columbia, MO; and    great-grandchild, Carson Eveler of Summersville, SC. Also surviving is a sister, Connie Blakley and Calvin of Kingwood, TX and brother, Larry Messinger of St. Louis, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Christopher John Messinger.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Hugo Cemetery in New Florence, MO or to the St. John's United Church of Christ in High Hill, MO c/o Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, MO   63361.