Corona Henrietta Bucher “Coonie” Essner, 93, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Born Sept. 18, 1931, in New Hamburg, daughter of the late Philip and Leocadia Dirnberger Bucher, she graduated from Benton High School. Her life was marked by unwavering dedication to her faith, family and community, as she served in various capacities throughout her life.
On May 24, 1952, she married Leon Andrew Essner, who preceded her in death on Oct. 19, 1973. She worked as a secretary at the St. Lawrence Rectory in New Hamburg. In 1985, she moved from the family farm in New Hamburg to Cape Girardeau where she was an active member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation. She worked at Cape LaCroix Apartments in Cape Girardeau, retiring after 25 years. In 2009, she returned to New Hamburg, where she was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church and the St. Anne’s Sodality. She also served as a teacher for the St. Lawrence Parish School of Religion and in the church choir. She brought the first Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) conference team to the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, and she volunteered as a cook for many, many summers at Camp Re-NEW-all in Fredericktown, Missouri. Coonie was also active in the regional and Diocesan Council of Catholic Women and the Oran KC-ettes. She enjoyed visiting friends in nursing homes, giving rides to those in need and making time for her ladies’ groups which included the New Hamburg Homemakers Club, her Cursillo group, Scott County Historical Society, Red Hat Society and her friend group which met regularly over the past 50 years to celebrate their birthdays. A member of the St. Francis Auxiliary, she also volunteered for 20 years in the gift shop at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award in 2018. When she completed her last day of service on Feb. 18, 2020, she had volunteered over 4,000 hours.
Known affectionately as “Nana” to her grandchildren, Coonie cherished her family, creating lasting memories through card games and her famous homemade pumpkin bread, which her grandchildren looked forward to receiving every Christmas along with their nylon pot scrubbers. She was always up for any adventure and there to listen and lend a hand when needed.
Survivors include: two sons and a daughter-in-law, Kenny and Debbie Essner of Dexter, Missouri, and Tim Essner of New Hamburg; daughter-in-law, Carla Essner of New Hamburg; one sister, Zita Nenninger of Hazelwood, Missouri; nine grandchildren, Kim (Brian) Ziegler of Kelso, Missouri; Nicole (Brian) Egli of Keller, Texas; Dustin (Amy) Essner of New Hamburg; Kari (James) Wilhelm of Kelso; Kent Essner of Dexter; Leonna (Dean) Heuring of New Hamburg; Michelle (Andy) Silman of Benton; Andrea (Pete) Sampanis of Vienna, Virginia; and Lisa (Jim) Eftink of New Hamburg; 21 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Andrew Essner; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Essner; grandson, Mark Essner; and her siblings, Raymond Bucher, Monsignor Philip Bucher, Susie Seyer, Josepha Reinagel, Marietta Vandermierden, Veronica Westrich and Germaine Bucher.
Visitation is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2025, at St. Lawrence Parish Center in New Hamburg. A rosary will be recited at 4 p.m.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg with the Rev. Daniel Belken, pastor, officiating.
Burial will follow in the St. Lawrence Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be her great-grandsons: Drew Silman, Colton Essner, Braden Egli, Drake Wilhelm, Griffin Wilhelm and Rolen Heuring.
Honorary pallbearer will be her great-grandson, Tristan Sampanis.
Memorial contributions may be made to SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation at glennon.org or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or stjude.org.
Barry Wayne Condict, son of the late Clifford Norman Condict and Velda Mae McGowan Condict was born in Bernie, Missouri on September 9, 1957 and departed this life at Gideon Care Center in Gideon, Missouri on March 31, 2025 at the age of 67.
Mr. Condict had worked at Legacy Fasteners in Poplar Bluff and was a resident of Bernie.
Survivors include two daughters, Natasha Kegley (Jeff McClain) and Taryn Johnson (Robert) all of Bernie, Missouri; by one brother, Clifford Condict Jr. (Teresa) of Bernie, Missouri; by three sisters, Judy Arnold of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, Lela Smith (Bobby) and Susan Reif all of Bernie, Missouri; by three grandchildren, Landon & Lucas Kegley and Tristan Johnson; also by other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death other than by his parents, by one brother, Norman Condict.
Friends may call at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie, Missouri on Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 pm. Memorial services will then be conducted on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 2:00 pm in the Mathis Funeral Chapel in Bernie, Missouri.
Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie is assisting with arrangements.
Lester Fern Scowden, the son of the late Clinton and Ruth (McConnaughhay) Scowden, was born on February 21, 1944 in Grayridge, Missouri and passed away on March 31, 2025 at the age of 81 years old.
He lived most of his life in this area then moved to St Louis and lived there for 30 plus years. He was a high school graduate and then joined the US Navy in 1963, his length of service was 4 years and had an honorable discharge in 1967. He met and married Brenda (Lee) Scowden in Aquilla, Missouri on October 30, 1969. He worked at McDonell Douglas as an expediter and retired from there. He went on to enjoy fishing and hunting.
Surviving family include one son: Kevin and (Jennifer) Scowden, step grand-children Taylor and Payton Wagoner of Imperial, Missouri. Lester was preceded in death by his wife, Brenda, and one son, Eric Scowden of St. Charles, Missouri, one sister, Virgie Alexander of Dexter, Missouri, three brothers, George Scowden of Kennett, Missouri, Clinton Scowden of St. Charles, Missouri and David Hardin of Dexter, Missouri.
The funeral will be a graveside service held at the Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri, on Friday, April 4, 2025 at 1PM.
Karen Lee Baker was born May 11, 1946 in Wisconsin to the late Leroy and Esther (Anderson) Baker, and passed away on March 29, 2025, in Essex, Missouri at the age of 78 years old.
Surviving family include an ex-husband, Marvin Cooke, one son Chad and (Christine) Cooke of Wisconsin, 4 daughters: Cindy Cooke of Wisconsin, Naomi and Michael Sterling of Dexter, Missouri, and Maygin and Jason Pinkley of Essex, Missouri. She had also 3 sisters: Rita, Dorothy and Linda. She had 11 grandchildren that includes: Allison Cooke, Jeramy and (Sarah) Wesbecher, Kristen and (Mike) Dalton, Nicholas Thysson, Colton Thysson, Eric and (Ali) Sterling, Karra and (JR) Pregel, Katie and (Timothy) Spence, Elizabeth Pinkley, and JT and (Lillie) Pinkley, 13 great grandchildren and her best friend, Rhonda Barns of Essex, Missouri.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents, 8 siblings, a daughter Michelle and her granddaughter, Rachael Westbecher of Park Hills, Missouri.
Thomas Lee "T.L" Jarrell, of Dudley, Missouri, was born on February 22, 1925, in Dudley, Missouri to the late James and Evelyn (Hutchcraft) Jarrell, and passed away on March 29, 2025, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at the age of 100 years old.
On August 9, 1943, T.L. Jarrell and Mildred Kennedy were united in marriage in Bloomfield, Missouri and she preceded him in death on February 2, 2015.
T.L. lived in Dudley his whole life, and was a founding member of Dudley Community Church. He was a Military Police Officer during his time in the United States Army, and served in World War II. T.L. was an extraordinary man, and was loved by everyone who knew him. During his life time, he served as both Mayor and Sheriff of the town of Dudley. He was an avid outdoorsman, and even shot a 9 point buck at the age of 80 years old. T.L. was the owner of T.L. Jarrell & Sons Saw Mill for 50 years before his retirement in 2015. His name was synonymous in the area with integrity, kindness, wisdom, and strength. T.L's love for Christ was a shining example for family, friends, and his entire community.
Surviving family include his children: Aaron (Susan) Jarrell, of Dexter, Missouri, Junior (Carol) Jarrell, of Dexter, Missouri, Carol Kirby of Pacific, Missouri, and Linda Orr, of Dexter, Missouri, 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, 1 brother, Dean Jarrell, of Dudley, Missouri, and 3 sisters, Dorothy Kinworhthy and Janice Patterson, both of Dexter, Missouri, and Melba Dewrock, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
T.L. was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mildred, a child, Patricia "Tweety" Kersey, a brother, JC Jarrell, and a sister, Louise Abbott.
The visitation will be on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, beginning at 1 P.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
The funeral will be on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, beginning at 2 P.M. at the Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri.
