Ronald F. O’Dell, age 90, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away on Thursday, December 25, 2025, at Morningside Center, Chillicothe, Missouri.
Ronald was born the son of George T. and Mildred (Toner) on August 7, 1935, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. He was a 1953 graduate of Chillicothe High School. He was a 1957 graduate of Northwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Education, then obtained his Masters from the University of Missouri in 1963. Ronald was united in marriage to Carolyn Glover on July 26, 1958, in Maryville, Missouri, before moving to Chillicothe, Missouri. She preceded him in death on July 12, 2018.
Ronald retired from the Chillicothe R-2 School District. Throughout his career, he was the Junior High School Principal, as well as teacher, coach and a high school football scout. Ronald was a member of the First Christian Church, Chillicothe, Missouri, where he was an Elder, part of the Daily Disciple Sunday school class and Sunday school teacher. He was also a member of the Retired Teachers Association and the Missouri State Teachers Association. He served on the YMCA board and the Green Hills Golf Course board, golf was his favorite pastime. Ronald served as the Chairman for the Camp Rainbow committee of Chillicothe and was a past member of the Lions Club. Ronald loved spending time with his friends and family.
Survivors include one daughter, Beth Milanovich and husband Kurt of Chillicothe, Missouri; two grandchildren, Katie Beth Kurelac (Josh) of Kansas City, Missouri, and Kai Milanovich (Kit) of Seattle, Washington; and one great-grandchild, Findley. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Carolyn; and his sister, Joyce Elaine Frederking.
Funeral services will be held at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. A scheduled visitation will be held at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, January 2, 2026, one hour prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Friends may call at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Friday, January 2, from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Burial will be held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Chillicothe, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church Scholarship Fund and/or Camp Rainbow, Inc. and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
