Ronald David Claas

Ronald David Claas, 68, passed away Sunday, April 17, 2016 at his home in Tipton. He was the oldest of 4 children, born in Boonville, MO on September 26, 1947 to Arthur and Betty Ketterlin Claas. He was a lifelong resident of Tipton.

Ronnie was a 1965 graduate of Tipton High School. He attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO until enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He entered the Navy on March 28, 1967 and served actively and through the Naval Reserve until 1972.

After leaving the Navy he earned an Associate Degree from State Fair Community College in Sedalia.

He was a longtime employee of MFA Oil beginning employment in 1976. Throughout his career at MFA he worked as the local Plant Manager and later as a training agent for the Midwest. He retired in 2014.

He was a member of St. Andrews Parish and a 4th degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. He served as Post Commander of the Edgar Cole American Legion Post in Tipton and was a member of the VFW Post 4345 Moniteau County. He was a member of the Tipton Jaycees and the Farmers and Sportsmans Club. He was a routine volunteer for the Tipton Nutrition Center. Ronnie loved to attend sports activities, especially his grandchildren's activities. He enjoyed hunting and teaching his grandchildren to hunt as well. Auctions were an enjoyable pastime and he achieved notoriety within his family as a collector.

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by 3 sons; John Claas and his wife Angela of Columbia, and their 4 children, Jared, Hannah, Justin and Owen, Peter Claas and his wife Tracee of Macon, and their 3 children, Brennan, Mackenzie, and Blake, and Michael Claas and his wife Beth of Tipton and their 5 children, Halle, Gage, Ella, Myra and Grady; his brothers Thomas Claas and his wife Janet of Overland Park, Kansas and Norman Claas of Tipton; sister Eileen Johansen and her husband David of Syracuse; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Tipton with burial following in St. Andrews Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6-8 PM Tuesday at the church with Rosary beginning at 5:30 PM.

Memorials are suggested to St. Andrews School in Tipton.

Online condolences may be submitted at www.meisenheimerfuneralhome.com.

Rosary at 5:30 PM