Ronald Anthony Niklewicz, 77, of Springfield, MO, passed away September 27, 2020. He was born August 11, 1943, in Green Bay, WI, to Chester and Anna Niklewicz.

He proudly voluntarily served in the United States Marines during the Vietnam War and met Yoshiko in Okinawa, Japan, while she was working as a waitress in a café.  They got married and moved back to Wisconsin with their infant daughter Maria Niklewicz. He served as a military police officer and a radio telegraph operator (Morse code).  He received a National Defense Service medal and a Rifle Marksman badge.  He was a PFC (E-2) and was honorably discharged.

Ronald played football from 8th grade through high school and also in the United States Marines. In junior high he played fullback and in high school he played defensive line which he liked better. He appeared in the local newspaper several times displaying his great football skills when he played for East High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He wasn't a starter when he played football in the United States Marines but he was always first down the field to make a tackle. He enjoyed watching football and baseball and riding motorcycles.  He also enjoyed playing harmonica and taking pictures of trees in the fall.  He was a hard worker and a great provider for his family…a man of great determination and survivor of many hardships in life.

Ronald loved our Lord Jesus Christ and almost died five times. He knew God saved him each time and that God kept him on earth because he was still doing a work in him. He wanted to give his testimony in a church service at the facility he lived in but unfortunately due to Covid-19, there was not a church service before he passed away; however, that did not stop him from sharing God's love the last few months before God took him home to heaven.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Clyde Niklewicz; infant brother, Terry; and wives, Yoshiko Niklewicz and Carolyn Niklewicz.

Ronald is survived by his daughters, Maria Niklewicz and Lisa Dusenberry and son-in-law Steve; and sisters, Carol Mikulice, Becky D'Ambrosio, and Rita Homan; and nieces and nephews.