Ronnie Gene Southard

BEAVER DAM-Ronnie Gene Southard, 73, passed away peacefully at his home in Beaver Dam on Thursday, September 24 with the care and support of Hospice of Ohio County.  He was born on August 29, 1947 to the late Thomas and Edwina Southard. He was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Joan Widner. Ronnie served as a Sergeant and Military Police Officer in the United States Army.  He spent time in Viet Nam from 1967-1968.  Later on he was a coal miner for Peabody Coal Company and he was a member of Beaver Dam Masonic Lodge #420 F&AM.  He was the founder of Southard Auto Specialties (now Southard Auto Sales).  He loved to fix up and detail old cars and trucks; and even race them down the track/drag strip from time to time in earlier years.  Ronnie had a passion to help others, visited those who were ill, called folks on the phone just to check in, and took friends to doctor appointments.  He was a good friend to many.

Ronnie’s “reason for living” the past ten years was for his granddaughter, Kayla Drew.  She was his pride and joy and made him smile daily.  He loved spending precious time with her as they were best friends, and some of her friends became his friends. Ronnie was a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church. In recent years, Ronnie attended Broadway General Baptist Church. Ronnie is survived by his wife of 52 years, Eleanor Crume Southard; a son Andrew (Sonya) Southard of Hartford; granddaughter Kayla Drew Southard of Hartford; sister Debi (Greg) Clark; of McHenry, brother Jerry Wayne (Barbara) of McHenry/Boonville, Indiana; brother-in-law Kurt Crume of Hanson; sister-in-law Elaine Haley of Denver, Colorado; several nieces and nephews, and many, many friends. Services will be 1:00 P.M. Monday September 28, 2020 at Bevil Bros. Funeral Home in Beaver Dam with Bro. Tim Smith presiding.  Visitation at the funeral home will be from 3-8PM Sunday and from 9AM until funeral time on Monday.  There will be a Masonic Service at 6PM Sunday at the funeral home.  Ohio County Honor Guard will present military rites.  Expressions of sympathy to Hospice of Ohio County. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.