Lonnie Harold Waite

Lonnie Harold Waite, 80, of Cairo, Missouri departed from this world on December 25, 2025, at the Pioneer Skilled Nursing Home in Marceline, Missouri. His life was marked by hard work, joyful laughter, and a love for the outdoors.

Lonnie was born on August 6, 1945 in Bethel, MO, to William and Ethel (Schmitzer) Waite. He was a proud graduate of Bevier High School and embarked on a successful career in mining. In 1981, he moved to Cairo, Missouri, where he accepted a position as a mine worker at NEMO Strip Mining Company, dedicating over 15 years to a job he took great pride in. In addition to his professional endeavors, Lonnie served honorably in the Army from 1966 to 1969, an experience that shaped his character and instilled a sense of discipline that carried throughout his life.

A man of many talents, Lonnie found joy in the simplest of pleasures. He enjoyed bird watching, ensuring his feeders were always full, and reveled in the outdoors, often relaxing on his porch or hunting from it! During the summer months, Lonnie tended to his ponds, filled with goldfish and crawdaddies, while the winter brought opportunities to engage in indoor hobbies especially creating fish nets.

Beyond his hobbies, Lonnie was known for his sense of humor—a true jokester. Those who knew him appreciated that he carried a jug of sweet tea wherever he went, a testament to his easy-going nature and love for life's little comforts.

Lonnie is survived by his children, Tina Waite of Bevier, MO, Lisa (Robert) Chaloupka of Huntsville, MO, Angela Waite of Cairo, MO, Myra (Joshua) Blakemore of Platte City, MO, Tonya Waite of Higbee, MO, and Leland (David) Worley of Belleville, IL; Grandchildren, Robert Waite of Bevier, MO, Jadera Gormley of Bevier, MO, Zackery Brown of Hunstville, MO, Abigail Ogle of Silver Creek, MO, Destyni Waite of Cairo, MO, Savanah Blakmore of Platte City, MO, Alliana Heaston of Higbee, MO, and Levi Waite of Higbee, MO, he is also survived by nine great grandchildren. Survivors also include his sister, Darlene Baldwin of Macon. MO.

Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ethel Waite; brother, William "Bill" Waite and sister Ethel Louise Arbuckle.

Lonnie's life will be celebrated on January 12, 2026, with a service held at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, MO at 1:00 PM with full military honors. This will be followed by a Celebration of Life at Route Z Classic Country Barn & Grill in Cairo, MO, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Local arrangements are under the direction of Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, MO 65270 (660)263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www. pathwaymemorial. com