Ronald Von Hemel Obituary (1936 - 2022)

Ronald Dean "Bunny" Von Hemel, 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at the Stanton County Long Term Care facility in Johnson, Kansas. He was born June 4, 1936 to Alta Beatrice (Watson) and Augusta Ross Von Hemel in Picher, Oklahoma. Bunny, a nickname that was given to him as a child by his father, was raised in the Manter area and attended school there. Bunny owned and operated a trucking company in Lamar, Colorado. He saw millions of miles of this great country transporting cattle. His children have fond memories of Bunny teaching them how to drive a semi-truck during their teenage years. When he wasn't working he could be found fishing or hunting elk, antelope, deer and even rabbits. Bunny enjoyed taking guided hunting trips to Colorado and spending time in nature. Each year he invested love in his garden, cultivating wonderful fruits and vegetables that he would give to family and friends. Bunny also had a love for gambling: scratch-off tickets, the horse track, and trips to Boot Hill Casino or Cripple Creek Colorado. He was proud of his Miami Tribe roots and felt his Native American heritage ran through his veins. ("niila myaamia," which translates to, "I am Miami!") He will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his children: Rhonda Kay Westeman and Douglas Peppler, both of Manter, KS, Lana Gayle Smith and husband David of Manter, KS, and Ronnie Wayne Von Hemel of Ulysses, KS; eight grandchildren; twenty-one great grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brothers Don Von Hemel and Roylynn of Hot Springs, AR, and Ross Von Hemel of Holly, CO; a sister, Carolyn Spell of Walsh, CO; a brother-in-law, Dewight Mellecker of Longmont, CO; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Augusta and Alta Von Hemel; a brother, Danny Von Hemel; a sister, Judy Mellecker; and a sister-in-law, Judy Von Hemel. There will be no public visitation as cremation has taken place. He will be laid to rest on the Miami Tribal Burial Grounds in Miami, Oklahoma. Memorial contributions can be made payable to the Josephine Goodboo Watson Memorial Book Tribal Scholarship in care of Weeks Family Funeral Home & Crematory, PO Box 1200, Sublette, Ks 67877. Condolences may be left online at WeeksFamilyFuneralHome.com To send flowers to the family of Ronald Dean ""Bunny"" Von Hemel, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.