Ronald L. Gelsheimer, age 95, of Springfield, passed away Monday, December 9, 2024, following a brief illness.

Ronald was born in Springfield, MO to the late Henry and Mora (Cain) Gelsheimer.

He graduated from Lebanon High School and then served in the US Army during the Korean War.

He met "the girl next door,"--literally, she lived right next door--Pat.  When asked why he married her, in his typical Ronald fashion, he answered, "I was headed off to war, and I needed a place to park my car, and she had a garage."  Then he would just look at you and give his adorable grin and chuckle.  He and Pat were married in 1950 while he was home on furlough from the Army.  It was the middle of winter and back then you could cross state lines and get married right away.  So, Ron and Pat, along with good friends Wallace and Daunis Holloway, headed to Oklahoma in the middle of a snowstorm.  They got there around midnight and knocked on the preacher's front door, and as seen in the old TV shows, the preacher performed the wedding ceremony in his living room.

Ron and Pat's union was blessed with two absolutely adorable children (humbly speaking): Mark and Julie.

Ron has met so many people and made so very many wonderful friends over the decades of his involvement in the Automobile Industry in Springfield, MO, spanning the years of 1958 to 2018 including Springfield Motor Sales, Sports Car Center, Ozark Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Trucks, and then semi-retiring at age 45 with Gelsheimer Motors at his shop in Ozark, MO where he restored antique automobiles from 1973 to 2018.  This is where his friends would congregate every Thursday afternoon for refreshments and fellowship.

He enjoyed stock car racing at the Ozarks Fairground Speedway from 1961-1968 and was inducted into the Ozarks Area Racers Foundation Hall of Fame honoring the Ozarks Stock Car Racing Legends and Pioneers.

He was part owner of Jim Moon Yamaha from 1970-1991.

Ron has been a member of the Ozarks Antique Club for the past 45 years.  He especially enjoyed participating in the club's annual Swap Meet held at the Ozarks Empire Fairgrounds each August.  The funds raised from this event are donated toward scholarships at Ozarks Technical College Automotive Technology Program.

Ronald is survived by his children: son, Mark (Laura) Gelsheimer and daughter, Julie (Stephen) Rost; 5 grandchildren and spouses, 5 great grandchildren; and sister Trula Shipman.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Patricia; and brother, Merle Gelsheimer.

Open House Visitation for all friends and family will be from 10 AM to Noon Monday, December 16, 2024 at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home in lieu of formal funeral service and graveside service.  Please drive your antique and classic vehicles in honor of Ron.  Let's fill up that parking lot so it looks like a "cruise in."

Memorial contributions may be made to Ozarks Antique Auto Club for scholarship fund for Ozarks Technical College Automotive Technology Program.

Memories and sympathy messages can be sent to the family via the Gorman- Scharpf website.