Ronald Stewart Phares, 72, of De Soto died July 15, 2018. Mr. Phares was a retired dispatcher with the St. Charles Sand Co. and also worked as a greeter for the De Soto Walmart store. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, a lifetime member of the NRA, and a 12-year member of the Eagles in Crystal City. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, loved to barbecue and was the “world’s best” joke teller. Born June 29, 1946, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Cleo Nadine (Hulsey) and Leroy “Jim” Phares.
He is survived by six children: Rhonda Phares of Barnhart, Dennis (Jennifer) Ward of Arnold, Dawn (Jeff) James of Affton, Bari (Artie) Cates of Cedar Hill, Rik Ward of St. Louis and M. Halley of St. Louis; three siblings: Vernon (Ralph) Hughes, Michael (Pam) Hulsey and Diane Olinger of Imperial; 18 grandchildren: Kody and Kyle of Barnhart;
Chase and Kassidy of Arnold; Kody and Kacy of St. Louis; Kori, Katlin, Kaleb, Faith, Isabella, Brandon and Holly of Affton; and Mikaela, Garrett, Marissa, Miranda and Jaxon of Cedar Hill; two great-grandchildren: Braydon and Adalyn of Affton; three nephews:
Doug (Heather) Hulsey of St. Charles, Jeff (Lindsey) Hulsey of St. Louis and Kevin LaChance of De Soto; two nieces: Jennifer Hulsey of St. Louis and Reggie (Lou) Wirth of Missouri; four great-nephews: Trent (Shana) LaChance and son Elias of New Baden, Ill., Kel Hulsey of St. Louis, Dylan Hulsey of St. Louis and Devin Hulsey of St. Louis; one great-niece: Tara Stevens, and her children: Bonnie and Asher of Desloge, David Lindhurst of Belle, Mike Kostial of Texas and Mary Ward of Cedar Hill.
He was preceded in death by a sister: Janet Gail (Bob) LaChance; and a granddaughter: Alyssa Ward.
A funeral service was held July 20 at Coplin Funeral Home in Park Hills, officiated by Pastor James Pashia. Burial was in the Big River Cemetery in Irondale. Arrangements were under the direction of Coplin Funeral Home.