Ronald Gene Sexton, age 80, of Mitchell, SD passed away Thursday, November 27, 2014 at Firesteel Healthcare Center surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church, Mitchell, SD with burial at Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday, December 1, 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of the Will Funeral Chapel. Ronald Gene Sexton, son of Harry and Katherine (Lins) Sexton, was born February 13, 1934 in Mitchell, SD. He attended Notre Dame School and served in the United States Air Force. Gene was united in marriage with Lila Moldrem on February 8, 1953 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Plankinton, SD. The couple made their home in Mitchell. Gene enjoyed auctions sales, flea markets, remodeling and selling homes. In the early years, Gene was a bell boy at the Roberts Hotel in Mitchell. While in Mitchell, the couple owned a commercial laundry and dry cleaning plant for 17 years. The next 25 years, Gene and Lila were motel owners and builders in six states. Gene and Lila then enjoyed 18 years of wintering at their home in Arizona. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Lila Sexton, Mitchell, SD; a son, Kevin (Angie) Sexton, Lake Madison, SD; three grandsons, Jason Sexton, Matt Sexton and Ryan Sexton, all of Sioux Falls, SD; two great grandsons, Owen and Ayden, Sioux Falls, SD; two sisters-in-law, Jean Sexton, Mitchell, SD, Emma Sexton, Monona, IA; many nieces and nephews. Gene was preceded in death by son, Ronnie Sexton; a daughter, Cindy Sexton; his parents; four sisters; and three brothers.