Ronald "Ronnie" Neer

Ronald Eugene Neer, 79, of Knoxville passed away Friday, April 9, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in Pierschbacher Funeral Home chapel in Chariton. Visitation will begin one hour prior to service. Interment will be on a later date in Liberty Center Cemetery. Memorials may be made to honor Ronnie’s life to Knoxville Church of the Nazarene.

You may join the family in honoring Ronnie via livestream at https://my.gather.app/remember/ronald-eugene-neer

On July 7, 1941 two miles west of Lacona, a legend arrived when Ronald Eugene Neer was born to Glen and Tina (Hendrickson) Neer. The family moved into Lacona when Ronnie was two. He attended school through his 9th grade year and then went to work full time as a logger and sawmill operator for his folks.
In 1957 Ronnie’s world forever changed when he met a beautiful 14-year-old girl named Patsy Bacon. He lovingly referred to her as “bacon & eggs”. He became her “gentle giant” and they married on November 29, 1959 in the Dallas Christian Church. The couple lived in town for 28 years before moving to the farm where they enjoyed 33 wonderful years before moving to Knoxville. They were blessed with six children: Scott, Bradley, Jodie, Jerry, Bob, and Kyle Joe who passed away in 1967. Over the years Ronnie enjoyed watching his family grow with many grand children and great grandchildren.
Ronnie farmed most his life, and owned Neer Roofing for 30 years and enjoyed working with his children while roofing. He was also a fur skinner for Chariton Stones Fur House. He bought and trained horses for income and a hobby for several years. However, his family knew his real job in life was to pick on Pat.
He enjoyed going to auctions, collecting coins, Indian artifacts, and coon hunting. He belonged to Red Rock Coon Hunters Club, where he served as a board member for many years. His love for auctions kept him from missing a single one in 30 years. He would buy anything for $0.50. If he knew you were looking for items or needed something he would look for those items at auctions. He bought a pile of bikes just so one of his grandsons would have parts to fix his own bike. He would often say “That isn’t worth more that 50 cents”. His family knew that he would come home with a box or two of treasures for them to go through. The grandkids especially loved to take random things home with them much to the dismay of their parents.
To his family and many others Ronnie was kind, strong, humble, and a loyal man. He often did extra jobs without charging while owning the Neer Roofing. He would embarrass his children by talking to anyone no matter where they were. His family, especially his grandkids, nieces and nephews were so important to him. He was always there to help with any project they had, give them popsicles, cookies, and candy, enjoy Sunday afternoon dinners and horse rides. He loved picking on Pat and being there for her, they enjoyed a wonderful and fun 61 years together.
Those left to honor his memory are his loving wife, Pat; his children: Scott (Tracey) Neer, Bradley (Kandy) Neer, Jodie Young, Jerry (Melissa) Neer, and Bob (Grace) Neer; fourteen grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; sister Shirley Donagan; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a son Kyle Joe; and ten siblings.