Ronald Merle Picolet Sr.

June 19, 1935-July 5, 2023

Ronald Merle Picolet Sr. of Queen City, Missouri, formerly of the Iowa Quad Cities, was called home on July 5, 2023 and reunited with his wife, Marianna, who preceded him in death on September 27, 2015. He was 88 years old.

Known to his siblings as "Merle" and "Pic" to other family and friends, Ron was born to Loren Victor and Mary Wilma (Duncan) Picolet on June 19, 1935 in Frankford, Kansas, where he was raised with eight siblings. Upon high school graduation, he started work in a Kansas rock quarry as a heavy equipment operator. He took the hand of Marianna Schmell in marriage on March 3, 1957 in Fredonia, Kansas and ended the year with the birth of their first son, Ron Jr., born on December 31st  (a welcomed tax write-off). A daughter and three sons followed, and the family eventually made their home in Blue Grass, Iowa. He and Marianna owned and operated Pic's DX Service Station in Blue Grass before purchasing a farm and moving to Glenwood, Missouri to raise their three youngest sons. Ron Sr. was active in the Blue Grass Community Club, served as a volunteer firefighter, a police auxiliary officer, Cub Scout Leader and baseball coach. As a younger man, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, archery and canoeing. He left Iowa in search of a slower paced life in Missouri. He tried his hand at many things including farming. He enjoyed the outdoors, watching wildlife with his wife from their swing that over-looked the farm. He loved to drink coffee and visit with family and friends for hours. Ron Sr. had a strong faith and relationship with God and was a member of the Queen City First Baptist Church in Queen City, Missouri.  His final days were spent in the loving care of The Pines in Kirksville, Missouri.

Ron Sr. is survived by his children, Ronald Jr. (Kay) Picolet of Eldridge, Iowa, Rebecca (Steve) Kammerer of Blue Grass, Iowa, Richard Picolet of Queen City, Missouri, Robert (Lora) Picolet of Blue Grass, Iowa and Randy Picolet of Davenport, Iowa; Grandpa "Pic" was blessed with 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; surviving siblings include James "J.P." (Connie) Picolet of Frankfort, Kansas, Darlene Nemechek of Fall City, Nebraska, Judy Fleeker of Manhattan, Kansas; and other family members.

Ron Sr. is preceded by his parents; wife, Marianna Picolet in 2015; 3 brothers, Dean, Dale, and Marvin Picolet; 2 sisters, Dorothy Simmons and Betty Hodgkins; 1 brother-in-law, Charlie Fleeker.

The family thanks Virginia Griswold, a true angel, for her caring heart, compassion and friendship over the last year.

Ron Sr. was a Christian man who now finds rest and peace in the arms of his savior. His room was finished.

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Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at the Queen City First Baptist Church in Queen City, Missouri with Sam Burkholder, pastor of the Queen City First Baptist Church officiating. Music will be  special selections of "Trust and Obey" and "The Old Rugged Cross." Pallbearers will be the grandchildren. Visitation will be Saturday, July 8, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  at the First Baptist Church of Queen City in Queen City, Missouri. Memorials have been established to your local volunteer fire department. Online condolences can be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. Burial will be in the Queen City Cemetery in Queen City, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri.