Ronnie Lee Mathes, age 79, passed away on November 26, 2025.

Ronnie Lee Mathes, age 79, of Kissee Mills, Missouri, passed away on November 26, 2025. He was born on June 7, 1946, in Bunker, Missouri, son of Louie and Veenita (Holt) Mathes. Ronnie was a devoted husband to Patricia D. Mathes for fifty-eight years and loving father to Rodney W. Mathes of West Plains, Missouri, and Ronnie L. Mathes of Ava, Missouri. He is preceded in death by his parents. 

Ronnie was hardworking and dedicated. He spent several years in the banking world, but his passion was real estate. Ronnie loved putting deals together and could remember what he paid for something down to the penny. Patricia and he moved countless times if they could make a dollar or move to somewhere they thought was going to be fun, and away they would go. Despite his many responsibilities, he always made time for family, friends, and his passions. 

Though Ronnie may not have liked being the center of attention, he deserved to have his long years of fatherly love honored. He was a man of devotion, attention to family, kindness, but most distinctively integrity. Ronnie left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. His hobbies and interests helped to define who he was. Ronnie enjoyed hunting, fishing, attending happy hour with the neighbor, and enjoying fish fries with his brothers, and just people in general. His love for hunting and fishing was something he shared with his wife, children, grandchildren, and all sorts of family and friends, leaving a mark on us that will never fade. 

Ronnie is survived by wife, Patricia D. Mathes; son, Rodney W. Mathes and wife, Lori; son, Ronnie L. Mathes and wife, Lindsey; grandchildren: Christopher Mathes and wife, Denise, Zach Mathes, Holden Mathes and wife, Andrea, Alisha Moreno, Wyatt Mathes, and Hadley Mathes; great-grandchildren: Jake Mathes, Mia Mathes, Noah Paul Cole, Luna Moreno, Estrella Moreno, and Zoey Grace Mathes; three brothers: Lloyd Mathes of Bismarck, Missouri, Dale Mathes of Park Hills, Missouri, and Tim Mathes of Bunker, Missouri; as well as many friends and extended family members who will miss him dearly. 

A celebration of life will be held 12:00 p.m. on December 20, 2025, at Dent County Commons, 162 County Road 2300, Salem, Missouri 65560. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Cremations of the Ozarks. To leave an online condolence or share a memory, please visit http://www.cremationsoftheozarks.com.  

We find comfort in knowing that Ronnie’s legacy lives on through the lessons he taught us, the love he shared, and the memories that will be cherished forever.