Ronnie Levern Ipock

Ronnie Levern Ipock was born October 23, 1945, to Ed and Edna S. (Cooley) Ipock, in Alley Spring, Missouri. He graduated to heaven at home on June 22, 2025, at the age of 79 years and 7 months. 

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Edna Ipock; and by two brothers, Donald Lee and Dwayne “Red” Ipock; and one sister, Yvonne Denton. 

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Deborah Christine (Denton) Ipock. He is also survived by his son Ronald Lee Ipock and wife Melinda of Eminence, MO; and by his daughter, Lisa Jean (Ipock) Hill, and husband Mark of Rolla, MO. He will be missed by ten grandchildren, Ayla and Nathan Martin of Mountain Vi e w, MO, Brianna and Joe Sutton of Ozark, MO, Joshua Ipock of West Plains, MO, Kourtnee McDaniel and Hunter Ipock of Eminence, MO, Kian Hill of Alabama, and Kinzie and Michael Durham of Rolla, MO. He also leaves three greatgrandchildren, Aiden and Reenlee Martin, and Jamie Sutton.

Ronnie grew up near the Jacks Fork River, attending elementary school at Delaware and high school in Eminence, where he graduated in 1964. During his high school years, he worked seasonally for the Alley Spring State Park, and upon graduation joined the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO; Ft Lewis, Washington; and Ft. Hood, Texas. In the service, he was trained as an engineer and assigned to a tank unit. He received an honorable discharge in 1969. 

Having completed his enlistment, Ronnie returned to Shannon County, where he married Deborah on February 6, 1970. They made their home in the beautiful Ozark hills, and Ronnie resumed working for the Alley Spring State Park. He transitioned to work for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and remained an engineer and equipment operator there until his retirement on September 30, 1996. 

For Ronnie, this retirement simply meant pursuing other avenues of work. He operated heavy equipment for local individuals and then took to the open road, driving 18-wheelers until his health forced him to stay home. Even then, his natural mechanical talents and interests allowed him to work with his son, Ronald to fix equipment and keep the property mowed, even when an oxygen tank was his constant companion. 

Family was important to Ronnie, and they cherished memories of his kindness, his upbeat and positive attitude, and his sense of humor. He looked forward to family visits and always had time for them. 

Ronnie got a new lease on life when he accepted Jesus as his Lord and was baptized on September 17, 2012, at the West Eminence Christian Church. He faithfully attended worship and gatherings there as long as his health allowed. 

A celebration of his life was held at West Eminence Christian Church, Eminence, Missouri, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025, under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Eminence. A visitation was held prior to the service from 9- 11:00 a.m. also at the church. Interment with military honors was in Rader Cemetery in Delaware, Missouri. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.