Ralph M. Krodinger, 92, of De Soto died Oct. 27, 2019, in Festus. Mr. Krodinger was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in De Soto, where he volunteered countless hours, and a third-degree member of Knights of Columbus Council1185. He owned and operated Summit Cafe in De Soto from 1956 to 1980 and was active in the community, serving on the Jefferson County Commission for 16 years, eight as Presiding Commissioner. He was a 4-H leader and one of the founders of the De Soto Little League. He was a farmer and a real estate agent, and made wood crafts to sell at various fairs and festivals. Born Oct. 17, 1927, in De Soto, he was the son of the late Max and Gertrude (Wintz) Krodinger. He was preceded in death by his wife: M. Elizabeth “Liz” Krodinger.
He is survived by three sons: Wayne Krodinger, Kurt (Tracy) Krodinger and Neal (Tammie) Krodinger, all of De Soto; four daughters: Ramona (Charles) Denny of De Soto, Carla (Monique Menard) Krodinger of De Soto, Ellen (Terry) Bridgewater of Festus and Laura (Don) Lassing of Festus; 17 grandchildren: Sara, Alexis, Anne-Marie, Annie, Jenni, Jason, Nicole, Aaron, Katie, John, Zachary, Ethan, Lauren, Brett, Blake, Audrey and Grace; 10 great-grandchildren: Jason, Hayden, Mia, Oliver, Charles, Sydney, Carter, Cohen, Autumn and Sophia; two brothers: Donald (Karen) Krodinger and Larry (Sue) Krodinger, both of De Soto; and three sisters: Gladys Drummond, Mabel Jennings and Ann (Carl) Oberle, all of De Soto.
He was preceded in death by three sisters: Fern (Alfred Sr.) Krueger, Maxine (Andy) Piloski and Joan Armsey; and two brothers-in-law: Bud Jennings and Fred Drummond.
Visitation is scheduled from 3-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, at Robert D. Brown Funeral Home, 103 Fourth St., in Hillsboro. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in De Soto. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery in De Soto. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert D. Brown Funeral Home in Hillsboro.