Ronald Dean Mackrill

Ronald Dean Mackrill, age 73, of Kearney passed away Friday, December 27, 2024 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Omaha. Funeral services will be 1:30 pm, Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Grace Fellowship Church in Kearney. Pastor Mitch Ivey will officiate and burial will be at the Kearney Cemetery. Military honors will be provided at graveside. Visitation with coffee and cookies will be 1 hour prior to services at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Peterson Senior Center. The service will be live streamed and can be viewed by visiting https://youtube.com/@kearneygrace?si=eeO3Cgzg3hkDznkb Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services in Kearney are in charge of arrangements. Ronald “Okie” Mackrill was born Oct. 17, 1951, in Kearney, Neb. and was raised by Orla and Catherine Mackrill, his grandparents. His father and mother were James Mackrill and Melvina (Rice) Mackrill. Okie graduated from the school of hard knocks, and later went on to earn his GED. He joined the Air force in 1971 and served until honorably discharged. As a young adult, Ron worked in Oregon, Oklahoma, Texas, and Minnesota but eventually chose to return to Nebraska to live. After making Kearney his home, Ron married Ramona Cisneros on May 3, 1975, and was married for 39 years before her passing in 2015. They had one daughter, Aimee Mackrill, who resides in Omaha. He was employed at the University of Nebraska at Kearney until his retirement. As a member of the Prince of Peace Church, he served on the church council and the Kearney Catholic School Board. He joined Grace Fellowship in 2018. Ron was faithful to volunteer at many activities the church was involved with, whether it was the annual Easter egg hunt, Summer Kids Camp, or Trunk or Treat. You also found Ron helping at seasonal church workdays. He enjoyed participating in the 55-Plus group and other small gatherings hosted at Grace Fellowship. Ron regularly attended Kearney’s Peterson Senior Activity Center and was active in the music jam sessions. He also helped out where needed at the center. Ron especially enjoyed fishing and hunting, dancing, and all types of music, with the exception of opera. He used music to soothe his soul during tough times and also through the good times in his life. If there was a word that made Ron memorable it was ornery. He enjoyed teasing. He also enjoyed humor, and the pastor’s jokes he’d willingly share with others. He also enjoyed travelling all over the United States, seeing new sights, observing different cultures, and meeting new people. Remaining to cherish Ron’s memory are his daughter, Aimee; an older sister, Patty Shimko of Iowa and a younger brother, David Mackrill of Minnesota. Preceding Ron in death are his spouse; grandparents and parents.

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Ronald Dean Mackrill

October 17, 1951 - December 27, 2024