By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
6 Comments
  • Visitation

    Monday, February 27, 2023
    4:00 to 7:00 pm
    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL, and
    Tuesday, February 28, 2023
    9:00 to 10:00 am
    Immaculate Conception Church, Pierron, IL.

  • Service

    Mass of Christian Burial:
    Tuesday, February 28, 2023
    10:00 am
    Immaculate Conception Church, Pierron, IL.

  • Full Obituary

    Paul D. Ragsdale, 77, of Highland, IL, died Thursday, February 23, 2023, at home, surrounded by his family.

    Paul was born June 8, 1945, to John C. and Etta M. (nee Julius) Ragsdale, in Stoddard County, Puxico, MO. On August 1, 1964, he married Diana Lee Hamilton at St. Mary’s Church in Madison, IL.

    Paul was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Pierron, and a member of District 9 I. A. of M. & A. W. for 60 plus years. He worked for Snelson’s Auto Body and Dempsey Adams Autobody in Granite City, for more than 30 years. He was privileged to work on several Monsters Trucks, including Big Foot, Bare Foot and Taurus for 13 years. Paul raised hogs, cattle, chickens, ducks and geese for 20 years. He loved to travel, and enjoyed spending any time he could with his family.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Etta Ragsdale; wife, Diana Ragsdale; sister, Violet; brother-in-law, Jimmy Ray.

    Paul is survived by his children, Paul D. (Alicen) Ragsdale, Mettlerville, IL, Fay (Matthew) Lanter, Collinsville, IL, Amy (Paul) Davis, Weatherford, TX, Denise (Chad) Rapien, Pocahontas, IL; grandchildren, David Ragsdale, Lisa (Zachary) Turpen, Cody Lanter, Diana Lanter, Lindsay (Kevin) Milson, Olivia (Colton) Burleson, Haylee Wellen, Vanessa Wellen, Nicholas Wellen, Ryan Rapien, Brent Rapien, Megan Rapien; eleven great grandchildren; sisters, Paula Ray, Beverly (Bob) French, Kathy Wagner; nieces and nephews.

    Memorials may be made to HSHS Hospice and National Leukemia Assoc.

    Visitation: Monday, February 27, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, at Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL, and Tuesday, February 28, 2023, from 9:00 to 10:00 am, at Immaculate Conception Church, Pierron, IL.

    Mass of Christian Burial: Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 10:00 am, at Immaculate Conception Church, Pierron, IL.

    Clergy: Fr. Paul Bonk, Pastor

    Interment: Greene Cemetery

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

6 Condolences
 
  1. Donna P Moses / February 24, 2023 at 10:53 am

    Paul, Fay, Amy, Denise and Familes,
    Please accept my most sincere condolences for your loss. Know that I will be Praying that you all will feel the Lord’s comforting embrace. It is times like this I feel the distance between me and you all. Love from Atlantic Canada. Love Donna P. and Craig Moses.

  2. Tommye Julius-Coburn / February 24, 2023 at 3:14 pm

    With deepest sympathy and caring for y’all. Butch was a good man and a wonderful friend. The heart remembers most what it has loved best. May those memories bring you comfort and peace.
    Lifting you up in prayer.

  3. David Logan Ragsdale / February 24, 2023 at 8:12 pm

    Grandpa,

    My biggest regret was not coming home to visit you more. You were a great man and showed true strength through all of your life full of the losses of those you loved. From the death of your grandmother Iva being in the same wreck that killed her, to the losses of grandpa Julius, your parents and, your wife. You never lost your pep in your step and continued to live life to it’s fullest. You were the example of “life must go on” for our family. Thank you for my Dad and my 3 aunts and for living my grandma Diana as much as you did. It was an honor being the one that made you a grandpa the first time and I hope that I can grow up to be half of the person you were. I’ll love you forever and always! Give grandpa John and granny ree and grandma Diana all of my love! Until I see you again Rest in peace!

    Love always,
    David Logan

  4. Teri Musso / February 26, 2023 at 10:44 am

    Sending my heartfelt to all…

  5. Michael (Bo) Hamilton / February 27, 2023 at 5:12 pm

    May he RIP. Condolences to the entire family!!

  6. Michael (Bo) Hamilton / February 27, 2023 at 5:16 pm

    May he RIP. Condolences to the entire family!!

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