Ronald E. Queen, 83, of Festus died May 19, 2021, in Festus. Mr. Queen began his long career in the grocery business as a butcher for the Tom-Boy Store in De Soto, and worked his way up to owning several grocery stores. He also had a real estate company whose holdings included Jefferson Square in De Soto, where he and his wife owned and operated The Bistro at Jefferson Square. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of Our Lady Catholic Church in Festus. He enjoyed collecting coins and stamps; working outdoors, watching old western movies, and going to the casino. Born May 9, 1938, in De Soto, he was the son of the late Francis Earl and Geneva (Lewis) Queen. He was preceded in death by his wife: Rebecca Jean “Becky” (Wall) Queen.
He is survived by three children: Kirsten (Larry) Miller of Festus, Candi (Tom) LaMartina of Farmington and Ronald E. “Buzz” (Jeanetta) Queen II of Festus; three siblings: Yvonne (Rick) Williams of Wentzville,
Kenneth (the late June) Queen of Grand Blanc, Mich., and Russ (Rita) Queen of Wentzville; two sisters-in-law: Joyce Queen of De Soto and Pat Queen of Edwardsville, Ill.; and eight grandchildren: Ronald E. “Buddy” (Abby Cook) Queen III, Nicholas Ray (Nicole) Queen, Meagan Rose Holloran, Ethan Wayne Gosling, Benjamin August Miller, Olivia Ann LaMartina, Samuel Thomas LaMartina and Marissa Gale LaMartina.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Daniel “Jack” Queen and Fred Queen.
Visitation is scheduled from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, May 23, at Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home, 220 N. Main St., in De Soto. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Monday, May 24, at Our Lady Catholic Church in Festus, officiated by Father Greg Klump. Burial is in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crystal City. Memorials may be made to Our Lady Catholic Church, 1550 St. Mary’s Lane, Festus, 63028. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home.