Ronald A. Selvey (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Ronald A. Selvey, of Bolivar, MO, died peacefully surrounded by his family on April 15,2017, after a lengthy illness.
Ron was born December 11, 1929, in Lamar, MO to Roy and Essie McManis Selvey. He graduated from Lamar High School in 1947 and served 8 years in the Army Reserves. In 1953 Ron and his identical twin, Don, were appointed to the MO State Highway Patrol. Ron was stationed in Neosho, Anderson, and Bolivar, earning the rank of Sergeant before retiring in 1989. He married Donna Holtzen on August 30, 1953.
When Ron, Donna, and family moved to Bolivar in 1973, they found there was no Lutheran Church, so they offered their home for weekly services to the newly-formed congregation. As a charter member, Ron volunteered his time as president and various offices, as well as serving on the building committee for the present-day Zion Lutheran Church.
As an active community member, he was in Anderson Lions' Club, Bolivar Kiwanis, Bolivar City Golf Course and Silo Ridge Country Club. He was a member of The MO Peace Officers Association for 60 plus years. He donated more than 30 gallons of platelets to the American Red Cross over the years. After retiring, he volunteered to teach senior citizens' safe-driving course. Ron enjoyed golf, coffee with his buddies, mowing, and plowing gardens, but most of all, he loved fried chicken for Sunday dinner with his whole family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Martin, Gene, Bob, and Leland Gail Selvey, sisters, Helen Carr and Lorene Norwood, and a baby daughter, Polly.
He is survived by his wife Donna, children Rhonda (Dale) Penn of Springfield, Roger (Bobbie) Selvey of Kimberling City, Peggy (Will) Beatty of Bolivar, and Cammie (Bill) Wine of Bolivar. He also leaves 11 grandchildren, Dayla Penn, Sarah (Gaetano) Travaglio, Chelsea Penn, Brad (Sumar) Selvey, Beth (Josh) Adams, Hannah (Chris) Falk, Bryan (Danielle) Beatty, Luke Beatty, Lyndsay (Jeremy) Papenfuhs, Abby Wine and Payton Wine. He adored his 11 great- grandchildren, Giovanni and Viviana Travaglio, Cooper and Brayden Adams, Parker and Kinsley Falk, Beau and Boone Beatty, Lexi, Ally, and Maci Papenfuhs, and he was looking forward to the arrival of Carlee Adams in June.
Other survivors include brothers, Keith Selvey of Kerrville, TX, Don (Thelma) Selvey and Carl (Beverly) Selvey of Lamar, sister, Louise Caruthers, Lamar, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be held Friday, April 21 from 1 :00-2:30 pm. at Butler Funeral Home, 407 E. Broadway St., Bolivar MO. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Tom Rhodes at 2:30, and burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Bolivar. Pallbearers will be Brad Selvey, Bryan Beatty, Luke Beatty, Payton Wine, Josh Adams, Chris Falk, Jeremy Papenfuhs, and Eric Wilson.
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