Sonny Kelsheimer

(From Midland Cremation Society)

Robert Lavern “Sonny” Kelsheimer, 87, of Neosho, Missouri, passed away September 27, 2026.
Sonny was born July 13, 1939, in Anthon, Iowa, to Lee and Rose Kelsheimer. He attended school in Oto and spent much of his early life in the Oto and Anthon area. When asked what places had meant the most to him over the years, his answer was simple: home, Oto, Anthon, and the surrounding hills. “I just liked the hills,” he said. 

Sonny spent much of his working life around horses. He was a skilled farrier and horse trainer and later owned and operated R&D Kelsheimer Trick Horses with his wife, Dixie. In addition to his work with horses, Sonny farmed, rode broncs, and operated heavy equipment throughout his life. He enjoyed hunting, especially coon hunting, and built several wagons that he took on wagon train trail rides. 

Sonny married Wanda Jean Poulson, and together they had four children: Tami, Matthew, Mark, and LuAnn. He later married Dixie Lee Harding on May 20, 1987. Their story had an unusual connection that began long before they ever met: Dixie’s grandmother had been the midwife who delivered Sonny when he was born. Sonny and Dixie shared more than 39 years of marriage. 

Of all the horses that passed through Sonny’s life, none held quite the place that Frosty did. Frosty the Trick Horse, became Sonny’s longtime companion and best friend as well as the star of R&D Kelsheimer Trick Horses. Sonny trained Frosty to sit on a beanbag, bow, “pray,” answer yes-or-no questions by moving his head, dance a hula and fetch a large rubber bird when Sonny told him to “give me the bird.” Dogs were part of the act, too. Sonny always had a dog alongside Frosty and trained them to ride on Frosty’s back and even run barrels like a horse. 

Sonny and Frosty performed trick-horse shows in eight states and made visits to schools and nursing homes. Through those shows, Sonny brought joy, happiness, and plenty of laughter to the people they met along the way. Sonny also trained Frosty to lie down so people who used wheelchairs could get onto his back and experience riding a horse. Sonny and Frosty completed two rides across Death Valley, one in 2006 and one in 2007, with his good friend Robert Bradbury. The rides remained some of Sonny’s favorite memories. Now 33 years old, Frosty remained Sonny’s companion through the final years of his life. 

When asked what he had enjoyed most about his life, Sonny talked about the little trips and the things he and Dixie had done together over the years. Even after all their years of marriage, he still called Dixie “my bride.” Then he added his second love: his horses. Sonny often spoke about what a good mother and father he had and said he had lived a wonderful life. He remembered the songs his parents sang to him when he was young, including “Red River Valley,” “Strawberry Roan,” and “The Little Shirt My Mother Made for Me.” Sonny was Catholic and received the Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion near the end of his life. Sonny is survived by his wife, Dixie; his children, Tami, Matthew, Mark, and LuAnn; his stepchildren, Ann, Nancy, and Wayne; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Rose Kelsheimer; his sister, Joanie Duke; and his first wife, Wanda Jean Poulson. A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Phoenix Home Health in Joplin, Missouri. When Sonny was asked if there was anything he wanted to leave behind in his own words, he said: “I wish the best for everybody, good and bad".

Cremation arrangements are made with Midland Cremation Society in Joplin, Missouri.