DUNDEE — Ronald L. “Ronnie” Claphan, 90, longtime resident of Dundee, died March 22 at Great Bend Regional Hospital.  He was born Nov. 26, 1922, at Van Buren, Ark., the son of Gerald Ewing and Irene Evidine (Davidson) Claphan. He was a 1942 graduate of Nashville High School, Nashville, Kan. He owned a mechanic shop in Newton. He later moved to Dundee and worked at Dee Dove Buick/Olds/Cadillac in Great Bend for approximately 10 years. He then opened and operated Triangle Auto/Truck Repair in Dundee for over 40 years until his retirement in 1996.  He also co-owned the Dundee Gift Shop with his brother for many years at the same time he operated Triangle Auto/Truck Repair.
Mr. Claphan was a member of the Lucky 7 CB Club, and ran the wrecker at the racetrack. Known as the unofficial “Mayor of Dundee,” and with his “4-H roots,” he was a carpenter, farmer, and raised cattle, hogs, and rabbits.
On Oct. 12, 1960, he married Fern Elizabeth Hunt at McPherson. She preceded him in death Feb. 12, 2000. On Oct. 5, 2006, he married Ruth Matthews in Great Bend.
Survivors include  his wife, Ruth Claphan, Dundee; four sons, Darrell and his wife, Regina Claphan, Wichita, Charles Claphan, Wichita, Carl Claphan, Texarkana, Texas, and Tom Claphan, Great Bend; two daughters, Ronalda and her husband, Roger Chastain, Hillsboro, and Catherine and her husband, Lee McVey, Great Bend; 17 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Junior Claphan.  He was preceded in death by his parents; five infant sons; one sister, Dorothy Nolan; and one brother, Garland Claphan .
Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, at Grace Community Church, 210 McKinley, Great Bend, with Pastor Jay Beuoy and Pastor Don Paden officiating. Interment will be in the Dundee Valley Cemetery near Dundee.  Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday, 25 at Charter Funerals, Great Bend. Church visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday at Grace Community Church.  Memorials are suggested to the Ronald L. Claphan Memorial Fund. Online condolences may be left and a full obituary notice may be viewed at http://www.charterfunerals.com/obituary/chgb.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Charter Funerals*
2115 Washington St.
Great Bend, KS  67530
(620) 793-6161
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 24, 2013