It is with deep sorrow the Ranum family announces the passing of Donald Leroy Ranum of Ozark, Missouri, at the age 86 on Friday, April 12. After years of battling bladder cancer, he is finally free from that pain and has gone to dwell in the houseof our Lord. Don, as he was known to family and friends, will be sorely missed.

Don leaves behind his loving wife of 61 years, Sharon Kay Ranum, and son Donald Mark Ranum both of Ozark, Missouri; along with his sisters Lois Marrie, and Doris Jane Erwin.

Don was born on January 26th, 1938, in the Mount Horeb area of Wisconsin, to Rupert McKay and Violet Daisy Ranum. Don was the sibling of five other brothers and sisters: Iris Wanetta, James Rupert, Lois Marrie, Doris Jane, and RobertRay.

In 1939 the Ranum family relocated from Wisconsin to California, Missouri and later to Eldon, Missouri. Don graduatedfrom Eldon Missouri High School where he was active with the marching band.

After graduation, Don was called to active duty by the United States Military in 1956. This is where he proudly served in theUnited States Airforce and the 8th Airforce, 42nd Bomber Wing, at Loring Airforce Base in Maine. During his years in service, Don was awarded: Airman of the Month and Maintenance man of the Month and his unit received a Presidential Citation.

After his time in the Air Force, Don came back to the Eldon area where he enrolled at the University of Missouri inColumbia. He continued civil service with the Jefferson City, State of Missouri Highway Planning, where he worked in fieldresearch and drafting.

Don's professional career was in retail store management. He owned his own grocery store in Eldon, Missouri, before going towork in retail management for the Mattingly's Corporation, managing stores in Butler, Nevada, Eldorado Springs, and Lee'sSummit all in Missouri. Wal-Mart Corporation brought him to the Springfield, Missouri area in 1984, and this is where he stayed until his retirement in 1999.

Graveside will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Informal visitation will be Monday, April 22, 2024, after 2:00 p.m. at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.

Memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 28566, St. Louis, Missouri 63146.