Ronald LeRoy McCosh
Ronald LeRoy McCosh July 27, 1945 - Jan. 2, 2023
Ronald LeRoy McCosh, 77, Beverly, KS went home to be with his Lord & Savior January 2, 2023. He was born July 27, 1945, in Abilene, Kansas to LeRoy James and Phyllis Lucille (Kugler) McCosh.
He was their oldest living child. (Phyllis and LeRoy miscarried a baby before Ron’s birth).
Ron spent all his growing up years in Dickinson County. He lived in two different homes. The first was a cement house at the corner of Highway 18 and Jeep Road. His family moved to the second home when he was 4 or 5 years old. It is ½ mile north of Hwy 18 on Jeep Road. Ron learned to help with the farm chores at an early age. His mother said he was very creative in his play and thought up things to entertain his younger siblings. (Like pulling them over the hard wood floors in a cardboard box.)
He attended Chronister grade school and graduated from Chapman High School. In High school he was involved in FFA and became a “Chapter Farmer.” He enjoyed 4-H, having sheep projects and winning demonstrations in cooking. He sold his famous “cinnamon twists” to buy his first motorbike. He was President of the “Harmony Hustlers” 4-H club and won the model meeting competition.
Ronald was born again into the Family of God in 1958. He continued to have a hunger for God’s Word the rest of his life.
He attended Kansas State University, being employed by the Animal Husbandry department from 19631964. He took his Border Collie dog, Pepper with him to college and they lived in the sheep barns. Ron and Pepper put on exhibition shows at the Kansas State Fair in the Farm Bureau Arena for 3 years. He had pneumonia and was put in the K.S. Student Health Center. While there his folks would talk to him on the two-way radio from Manhattan. After K.S.U. he attended McPherson College, 19641965. He worked at George Moor’s dairy farm. While at McPherson he met Lynn Shields.
Ron and Lynn were married Aug. 13, 1965. They started their new life together in Beverly, KS, working for Joe Greene on his farm. He also served in the Army National Guard (SRF-Army Cav Intelligence Unit) from 1966-1972. He attended Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for his basic training.
He and Lynn had two son’s Joseph Dee (June 7th, 1967) and Rodney Lee, (Jan. 21st, 1970). During this busy time of their lives, Ron and Lynn worked with the youth and taught Sunday School class.
Lynn became the State Farm Bureau queen and district women’s chairman. Lynn was everyone’s best friend but unfortunately Lynn died of cancer on July 24th, 1978.
Ronald married Cynthia Sue (Lund) Becker on March 24th, 1979. Ron adopted Cindy’s daughter, Michelle and Cindy adopted Ron’s sons, Joe and Rodney in 1979.
“Little Joe” Joseph Dee died in an airplane crash on September 5th, 1992. This was a tragic loss for both Ron and Cindy, but God’s grace carried them through this difficult time. Ron was still active in farming in Lincoln and Dickinson, Co throughout his life. He continued to be a teacher to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Always repairing, building, or dreaming up some better way to do things. He was a man of his word, and he lived out the Biblical truth that he was taught.
He served many years in the Beverly Community Church as a Deacon. He taught the Teen and Adults Sunday School class over 40 years. Ron also directed the Live Nativity 11 times in 20 years (1992-2011). He also helped create church and 4-H floats.
Ronald filled the pulpit many times for his own church and other churches in Kansas and in the church, they attended in New Zealand. His mother said this was an answer to her prayer that she had prayed for him when she stood over his crib and asked the Lord for her son to live a faithful life, serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ronald was incredibly involved in his community, serving on the Farm Bureau Board, President of the County Lamb and Wool Association, the Rural Electric Cooperative Association (1996-2004), KEPCO Board, (Kansas Electric Cooperative Association as a board member from 1998-2004.), CMA (Christian Motor Cyclist) serving in three different chapters as Road Captain, Vice-President, and President. Involved in establishing 2 Chapters. He went on Mission trips to Guatemala in 2007 and 2008, received the first award given by Dickinson County Conservation for No-Till farming in 2003, and he received the Lincoln Co. Banker’s Award the first time it was given to a No-Till farmer, 2008.
Ronald was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lynn; and six children, Joseph Dee, (Renee, Tracy, Dee, Antoine, and Dawn) all babies who joined the Lord before their earthly birth in early miscarriages.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, Beverly, KS; son, Rodney McCosh (Beverly) Beverly, KS; daughter, Michelle Hill (Richard), Pukekohe, New Zealand; eight grandchildren, Nathan McCosh, (Kimberly), Amanda, Joel and Dillon McCosh, Beverly, KS. Joshua, Jarred, Samantha and Austin Hill, Pukekohe, New Zealand; two great grandchildren, Kassidy and Nalani McCosh, Beverly, KS; brothers, Gordon, (Sherryl) Rockwall, TX., Dennis, (Donnette), Abilene, KS; sisters, Patricia King, (Gary) Winfield, KS., Nancy Wassenberg, (Roger) Shawnee, KS., Cathy Matlack, (Terry) Leawood, KS; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, January 7, at the Beverly Community Church. The family will greet friends beginning at 2:00 P.M. Burial with military honors will be in the Beverly Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Beverly Community Church or the Christian Motor Cyclists and may be left in care of Wilson Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 166, Minneapolis, KS 67467.
Dec. 28, 2022
Ila Smith, age 89, from Lincoln, KS, passed away on December 28, 2022. Ila was the Co-Owner and President of Smith Oil and Gas, McPherson, KS. Ila was a Gold Star Mother. Ila is survived by her loving, devoted husband of 61 years, Robert (Bob) Smith. Ila was a wonderful mother to four children: Lannie Ray, Greg (Della), Lori Goss, and Kelly (Rob). She was an amazing grandma to seven grandchildren: Ryan Smith, Victoria Surface, Brittany Goss, Rhianna (Smith) Reed, Meghan Smith, Devon Rawlings and Erica Rawlings; as well as two great grandchildren.
No services will be held. The family (Bob and his children) will celebrate Ila privately. In lieu of flowers, if you are wanting to donate in memory of Ila, you can send donations to the VFW Auxiliary (of which she was a devoted member), PO Box 123, Lincoln, KS.