Ronald R. Smith

Ronald "Ronnie" Ray Smith, 81, of O'Neill, died Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 at Arbor Care Center in O'Neill.

Visitation was held Tuesday, Oct. 4,, 2022 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a time of sharing.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church in O'Neill. Pastor Bob Wynn officiated.

Burial was in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Ronald was born on May 10, 1941 in Westfield, Iowa to Ward and Marie (Rozell) Smith. He attended Westfield Elementary School through the eighth grade. He loved his early life on the farm having fun and causing mischief with his brothers and sister who he adored. Ronnie moved with his family to O'Neill just before his freshman year so his father could join his brother Harry operating Harry R. Smith Implement. While in high school, he excelled in football, basketball and track. Ronnie graduated from O'Neill High School in 1959. He then attended Wayne State College to play football.

Ronnie returned to O'Neill and resumed working for his family dealership. He married his high school sweetheart Sharon Marcellus on July 14, 1963 at the First United Methodist Church in O'Neill. To this union four children were born Jodi, Douglas, Molly and Ellie. 

Ronnie enjoyed helping farmers in the area as a John Deere dealer until he retired in 2002. He will be remembered as a trusted and honest businessman.

Ronnie was a great supporter of O'Neill and our St. Patrick's Day celebration. He was part of the group that lobbied for O'Neill to be named the Irish Capital of Nebraska and drew the very first shamrock at 4th and Douglas. 

He was a true outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, fish and camp. He and Sharon also enjoyed traveling. He was an avid college sports fan, especially of the Huskers, but enjoyed watching any game he could find. Ronnie knew how to enjoy life and was always ready with a witty remark or quick joke and a twinkle in his bright blue eyes. His laugh was infectious. More than anything, Ronnie loved spending time with his friends and family playing rousing games of pitch, grilling his incredible hamburgers, hosting amazing fish fries and just being together. He loved his family and friends whole-heartedly and will be missed by many. 

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in O'Neill, Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited.

Ronnie is survived by his wife of 59 years Sharon Smith of O'Neill; four children Jodi (John Borzych) Notkin of Coral Springs, FL, Douglas (Jennifer) Smith of Stillwater, OK, Molly (Pat) Keane and Ellie (Charles) Erickson, all of Omaha; eight grandchildren Jared Notkin, Colin Notkin, Calvin Smith, Campbell Smith, Andrew Keane, Alex Keane, Max Erickson and Sophie Erickson; one brother Daryl Smith of Akron, Iowa; one sister Judy (Russ) Thomas of O'Neill; one sister-in-law Kathy Smith of Huron, SD; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers Dwayne (Jean) Smith and Jerry Smith and his one sister-in-law Marcine Smith.