Ronald Eugene Morlan, 89, of Green Castle, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri.
Ron was born on September 27, 1932 in Green Castle to Ezra and Phyllis (Fleshman) Morlan. He attended Green Castle Elementary school before transferring to Kemper Military School in Boonville, Missouri. In 1955, he graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, Missouri with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Management. After graduation, he fulfilled his commitment to the United States Army by serving in South Korea. After leaving the army, he returned to Green Castle and married Karla Matney. They moved to St. Louis where Ron was the manager of a P.N. Hirsch store and then transferred to manage another store in Booneville, Indiana. Ron and Karla then moved back to Green Castle to help his parents run Morlan’s Store.
Ron loved his community and served as the Mayor of Green Castle for 17 years. He was a charter member of the Green Castle Lions Club and Green Castle Community Fire Department. He served on the NEMR telephone company board for 44 years and served on the Sullivan County Memorial Hospital Board for 18 years—16 years as the Chairman of the Board. Ron loved Green City Gopher sports and attended almost every game of his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Ron is survived by his wife Karla of the home, three daughters; Karen Ponder (Kendall) of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, Kathleen Hatcher (Randall) of Green Castle, Missouri, Krista Kent (Thomas) of Kirksville, Missouri, grandchildren; Elizabeth Stewart (Kyle), Rebecca Miller (Pete), Rachel Hugenberg (Neil), Cory Hatcher, Ryan Hatcher (Karra), Kellen Hatcher (Meghann), Megan Lusher (Paul), Maren Muhile (Hansen), Tyler Kent (Gayla), Alexandra Kent and fiancé Reid Higginbotham, and 29 great- grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A visitation for Ron will be held at 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Friday evening at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Kirksville, Missouri. A funeral service will be held 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at the church. Burial will follow at Green Castle Cemetery in Green Castle, Missouri.
Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Green City is handling arrangements.