Ralph E. Stegner

Ralph E. Stegner, 79, of Jamestown, Mo., passed away on Monday, August 22, 2022. He was born April 26, 1943, in Urbana, Indiana, the son of Rev. Irvin and Vernie Stegner. Ralph attended elementary school in Atwood, Ill., and graduated from Prairie Home High School. He earned his Master of Science Degree in Biology from Kansas State. He was married to Barbara Espinoza and later to Sandra Heizenrader. For many years, Ralph taught high school in Cortez, Colo., and in the state of California. After he retired, Ralph was a substitute teacher. Ralph loved adventure and music. He was a commercial pilot for Skywest Utah and a licensed Chief Flight Instructor. He was proud that he flew James Dean and Jane Seymour. Ralph owned a Taylorcraft Airplane, a single-engine taildragger, that he flew from Santa Barbara, Calif. to Kitty Hawk, N.C. in the summer of 1996. He flew his personal plane several times to visit his sister, Mary, and her family, landing in their field. Another time, Ralph flew to Wamego, Kan., landed in an alfalfa field, and took his mother for an airplane ride. He loved riding motorcycles and made several cross-country trips. He owned several BMW and Harley motorcycles through the years. Ralph's love of music led him to sing in a barbershop quartet. He loved to play the harmonica and owned several of them. Ralph played the Jew's harp in high school and beyond. He was a member of a National Horseshoe Pitching organization and had won several trophies. Another thing he enjoyed was ballroom dancing, and that is how he met Sandra. Communicating and keeping in touch with his classmates through the years was always important. Ralph is survived by two brothers, Fred and John Stegner; one sister, Mary Burger; step-daughters, Debra Hallmark and Sharon Heizenrader; step-son, Bradley Heizenrader; step-grandchildren; step-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Berroth; his wife, Sandra Heizenrader; and his stepson, Brian Heizenrader. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 1, 2022, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at Moniteau Evangelical Advent Church, with Funeral Service following at 11:30 a.m., with Rev. Steve Watson officiating. Interment will follow at Moniteau Evangelical Advent Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Moniteau Evangelical Advent Cemetery. Online condolences can be given at www.windmillridgefuneralservice.com.