Ronald Gene Ragsdale

Ronald Gene Ragsdale, age 86, of St. Elmo, Illinois, passed away in his home on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. August 30, 2026, Fairview Church Cemetery, 2073 N 1800 St Brownstown, IL. Pastor Dan Laack will be officiating. In lieu of flowers or food, memorials may be made to Fairview Cemetery, c/o Laura Ann Feezel, 370 W. Cumberland, Brownstown, IL, 62418, or donor’s choice. Online condolences may be left at www.pagelfuneralhome.com.

Ronald was born July 27, 1940 at the family home on Walnut St. in St. Elmo, Illinois, the son of James Clifton Ragsdale and Connie Leigh (Haley) Ragsdale. He was the 8th of 9 children. He married Karel Lee Bail on September 13, 1960, in the Fairview United Methodist Church, Avena, Illinois.

Ron was a man of many talents and pursuits. He operated as a mechanic and auto body specialist at his Ragsdale’s Body Shop, then operated Ragsdale’s Photography Studio as a photographer in his hometown of St. Elmo. At various times, he was a coroner’s photographer, acting coroner, and undertaker’s assistant. He served as a board member of the Fayette County Hospital, and had an insurance sales office in Effingham, Illinois.

Ron had a passion for American muscle cars, expertly restoring a classic ’70 Shelby Mustang and a ’69 Boss 429. In his later years, he cruised in a red Shelby Cobra replica, passing out snakebite kits and dollar bowties. He developed his musical ear later in life, playing hammered dulcimer with the Prairie Land Pickers. When he wasn’t pursuing his own interests, he was supporting his wife Karel’s horse farm operation as carpenter and mechanic.

He is survived by his son, Brent Ronald (Teresa) Ragsdale, St. Elmo, Illinois; daughter, Lisette Rene’ (Mark) Ehrat, Shobonier, Illinois; sister, Barbara Sue Murphy, Ocala, Florida; grandchildren, Whitney (Mike) Patton, Lake Sara, Illinois, Johanna (Jeremy) Hassebrock, Edgewood, Illinois, Tara (Jimmie) Caraway, St. Elmo, Illinois, Braden (Evelyn) Ehrat, Monticello, Illinois, many great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brothers, Marvin, Robert “Bob”, and James Donald “JD”, sisters, Betty King, Okema Rhodes, Norma June Weaver, and Patricia Ann Storm, and life long friend, Becki Welker.