Ronald “Ronnie” Marvin Lane, 84, was born June 17, 1942, at Staton Hospital in Carrollton, Missouri, to Marvin Wilson Lane and Mary Pauline (Glaze) Lane. Ronnie lived a life filled with faith, family, laughter, and a genuine love for people. He never met a stranger, never passed up an opportunity to share a good story, and never hesitated to tell someone about Jesus.
Ronnie graduated from Carrollton High School in 1960, where he served as Senior Class President. Following graduation, he proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1960 to 1964. Throughout his life, Ronnie wore many hats. He worked at Taylor’s Shoe Store in Carrollton, spent many years as a salesman for International Harvester, and later became a minister, real estate agent, insurance agent, and auctioneer. Together with his wife, Margaret, he owned and operated their own real estate and insurance agency, where he continued working until his retirement.
On December 21, 1981, Ronnie married Margaret Rogers Pepper, and together they built a life filled with love, faith, family, and plenty of laughter. They enjoyed life’s simple pleasures-beautiful flowers, holding hands, playing cards and dominoes, watching Jimmy Swaggart, and loving on their pets. It wasn’t unusual for them to load up their four-legged “babies” and cruise around town for a car ride. Whether working side by side or simply enjoying a quiet evening together, they treasured the life they shared.
Ronnie loved farming, hunting, college football, his guns, and his beloved dogs and cat. He enjoyed listening to Neil Young and Creedence Clearwater Revival and appreciated a good meal, especially a good steak. More than anything, Ronnie loved people and truly knew no strangers. He could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, and before long, he knew their life story. It wasn’t unusual for someone he’d just met to receive an invitation to come over for dinner or go fishing at the family farm. He genuinely wanted to know people and had a special way of making everyone feel like a friend.
Ronnie had a wonderful sense of humor and loved making people laugh. He was a natural storyteller, especially when it came to his grandbabies. His tall tales could grow more outrageous by the minute, and he delighted in teasing the little ones until they were squealing with laughter. He had a way of turning ordinary moments into unforgettable memories.
Ronnie could also be strong-willed-or just a little ornery, depending on the day! Those who knew him best would probably agree that once Ronnie made up his mind, there wasn’t much changing it. But behind that stubborn streak was an incredibly generous and thoughtful heart. He loved making sure family members had German chocolate cakes for their birthdays, just one of the many ways he enjoyed making the people he loved feel special.
Ronnie’s faith in Jesus Christ was the foundation of his life. In the early 1990s, he attended seminary and became a minister. He served as a Methodist pastor in Spickard and Trenton, Missouri, and never missed an opportunity to share the Gospel. Whether visiting with an old friend or someone he’d just met, Ronnie was never shy about telling others about Jesus. But his faith wasn’t just something he talked about; he lived it through his kindness, generosity, and genuine love for others. He wanted everyone he met to know the love of Jesus.
One of the greatest blessings of Ronnie’s life came through the extraordinary gift of organ donation. After receiving a kidney transplant, he was blessed with 34 additional years of life filled with family celebrations, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, friendships, laughter, and countless precious memories. His family will forever be grateful for the generosity of his donor and the incredible gift of time they were given.
In his later years, when getting out and about became more difficult, Ronnie never lost his love for people or his desire to stay connected. He spent his days visiting with family and friends, checking in on loved ones, and sharing stories, whether in person, over the phone, or through video calls. Staying connected to the people he loved brought him tremendous happiness.
Above all else, Ronnie loved his family passionately. His children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren brought him immeasurable pride and joy. He loved deeply, gave generously, and made sure those closest to him knew how much they meant to him.
Ronnie is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Rogers Lane, and their cherished blended family. From his first marriage to Linda Cobb Lane, he had two daughters, Amy Lane Pickle (Phillip) and Melissa Lane Smith (the late Michael). His marriage to Margaret brought three additional children into his life: Dwight Pepper (Rosa), Bryce Pepper (Stephanie), and Garnet Pepper Bills (Josh). Ronnie and Margaret also shared the joy of raising two children together, Dwight E. Pepper (Jenna) and Mary Linda Pepper Lane (Kent McWilliams), who brought even more love, laughter, and cherished memories into their lives. He also shared a special bond with his son-in-law, Todd Edwards (Crystal).
Ronnie’s grandchildren include Andrew Pepper (Jeanne), Edwin Gutierrez, Erin Bills Donat (Raymond), Cade Edwards, Taylor Bills Firth (Colin), Ben Pepper, Sam Pepper, Lane Edwards (Payton), Madelyn Smith, Drew Allen, Lindsey Cooper, and Ayden Edwards.
His great-grandchildren include Adalyn, Nora, Silas, Lucy, Josiah, Clara, Ellis, Lawton, and Henry.
He is also survived by his sisters, Kay Lane Cheesman (Harold) of Fort Myers, Florida, and Judy Lane Stephens of Christiansburg, Virginia. Ronnie treasured his relationships with his brothers-in-law, Harold Cheesman and the late Larry Stephens, whom he considered two of his very best friends.
Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin Wilson Lane and Mary Pauline (Glaze) Lane; his sisters, Barbara Jean and Jacque Ann, who passed away in infancy; his beloved brother-in-law and dear friend, Larry Stephens; and his son-in-law, Michael Smith.
Ronnie’s legacy cannot be measured simply by the years he lived, the work he accomplished, or the things he owned. It lives on in the countless friendships he made, the people he helped, the Gospel he shared, and the family he loved so deeply.
He will be remembered for his generous heart, his stubborn determination, his unforgettable stories, his thoughtful gestures, and his remarkable ability to make anyone feel like a friend. Most of all, he will be remembered for his love of Jesus and his desire for others to know Him. His family finds comfort in knowing that he is now with the Savior he loved so dearly.
He loved God. He loved his family. He loved people. And he made sure they knew it.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 20, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at La Bella Casa Mansion, 11 E. 7th Street, Carrollton, Missouri, 64633
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at First Christian Church, 205 N. Folger Street, Carrollton, Missouri, 64633, with graveside service immediately following at Oak Hill Cemetery.
In honor of Ronnie’s life of faith, love, and service to others, the family welcomes memorial contributions to the Carrollton High School Fine Arts Department, the National Kidney Foundation, Wakenda Baptist Church, or Victory Christian Fellowship of Waverly.
It is the family’s hope that Ronnie’s legacy of kindness, generosity, and love will continue to touch lives for generations to come.
Arrangements entrusted to Hidden Valley Funeral home of Carrollton, www.hiddenvalleyfunerls.com
Source: KMZU, The Farm
