Greer, Ralph W. 1945-2024 Dearborn, Mo.
By NewsPress Now
DEARBORN, Mo. – Ralph Wayne “Butch” Greer, 78, of Dearborn, Missouri, after his year-long battle with cancer received his eternal trip to heaven on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, at his home. He was born May 3, 1945, in Bethany, Missouri, to Roy and Catherine (Spaht) Greer. He graduated from Maysville, Missouri, High School in 1963. He met his one and only love, Mary Elaine Winston, when they played saxophones together in band after their schools merged. They were united in marriage on March 20, 1966, at the Bethel Baptist Church in Cosby, Missouri.
Butch grew up near Pattonsburg, Missouri, and attended church at the Santa Rosa Baptist Church. He was baptized in the river when he was nine years old.
Butch wanted his children and grandchildren to know that as he was growing up, life was “fun”! He loved to drag race cars and he and his dad raised and showed foxhounds for years.
Butch was grateful for his early experience operating heavy equipment both on the farm and with his Uncle Curly. He was also grateful for an early opportunity he had to be “turned loose” on some equipment where he “learned by doing.” This experience, and diesel mechanics school, led to his working with the Operating Engineers Local 101 as a crane operator for 35 years. He worked many an hour in many situations along many miles of both the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and others. He worked in big cities and places where there were no roads. After “retiring” he continued work as a crane operator and construction business owner. Through Greer Construction he did work for many neighbors and friends. There was nothing he couldn’t fix.
Butch made three mission trips to Haiti, both before and after the major earthquake, to help build much needed wells for the people of Haiti. He was an 11-time willing servant on the Master’s Builders, a mission group that works in the community and around the U.S. doing one-week, intensive, construction or renovation projects for people or organizations that need some extra helping hands. Butch was ALWAYS up for a road trip. He loved to travel.
Butch loved all people and old cars. He never met a stranger. Though he could talk to anyone, anytime, his favorite thing to talk about was old cars. He loved car shows and cruise nights and he will be missed at these events.
Butch was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, in Edgerton, Missouri, serving many years as a deacon and Sunday School Teacher. His favorite Bible verses were Mark 9:23-24 “If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” and Philippians 2:12-13 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed – not only in my presence, but how much more in my absence – continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.”
Butch was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, Jim and Mary Winston, of Clarksdale, Missouri; and brother-in-law, James Dwaine Winston.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Elaine; children, Meleea Greer Lindseth (Brion), of Great Falls, Montana, Darin Greer (Erin), of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Justin Greer (Stacy), of Camden Point, Missouri, and Tonya Greer; grandchildren, Josey Lindseth-Wood (Shane), Carson, Raina and Wyatt Lindseth, Heston and Anders Greer, Katie Hall (Mike), Olivia and Sophie Greer, and Skylar Greer; sister, Sue Greer, Yuma, Arizona; nephews, Roy Wolf (DeeDee), Jim Wolf (Kim) and David Wolf (Janice), James Dwaine Winston Jr.; and a niece, Eugenia Winston-Blair; others relatives and many friends.
Visitation: 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Edgerton.
Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 19, at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Edgerton. Burial: Ridgely Cemetery.
Donations may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church for the Master’s Builders mission fund or to Freudenthal Hospice.
Arrangements by Hixson-Klein Funeral Home. www.hkfuneralhome.com As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
