Ronald Lee Zahnter, 61, passed away on March 4, 2017, at Great Bend Regional Hospital. Born March 8, 1955, at Syracuse, he was the son of James Alvin and Irene Margaret (Hanson) Zahnter. He grew up around Syracuse and was formerly employed as an auto and diesel mechanic at Oren Florence’s Conoco Station in Syracuse, by Hurly Chevrolet in Goodland, and the John Deere Implement Dealer in Kiowa. He was united in marriage to Leann Railsback in 1973 and the couple later divorced in 1996. He had been a resident of Great Bend for the past two years. Ron’s passions included auto racing and tinkering with cars.
Survivors include a son, Darren Zahnter and his wife, Leann, of Belleville; a daughter, Angela Dawn Crowe of Belleville; eight grandchildren; four brothers, Marion “Sonny” Murphy and his wife, Helen, of Gainesville, Fla., Alvin Zahnter and his companion Connie, of Russell, Gordon Zahnter and his wife, Tracy of Great Bend, and Chad Zahnter and his companion Mary, of Florence, Miss.; four sisters, Beverly Beer and her husband, Larrie, of Tulsa, Okla., Alvena Dewey of Syracuse, Louetta Edwards and her husband, T.J., of Las Vegas, Nev., and Laura Beesley of Tulsa, Okla.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, James Dale Zahnter and Herman Zahnter; and one sister, Wilma (Ellison) Reno.
Cremation has been chosen. A memorial service will be planned for a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in care of the family for later designation. Online condolences may be left for the family and a complete obituary may be viewed at http://www.charterfunerals.com/locations/great-bend.php.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Charter Funerals*
2115 Washington St.
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 7, 2017