Paul Mitchell Schuerenberg, Sr., 94, of Gray Ridge, died January 11, 2012 at the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Born September 26, 1917, in Kewanee, to the late W.H. and Cora Lee Schuerenberg, he was a self-employed farmer and of Presbyterian belief.
Paul followed in his father's vocation and started farming after high school graduation. In January of 1942, Paul was one of the first World War II draftees from New Madrid County. After completing basic training, he was assigned by the Army to a position with the Military Police Company, being deployed in December 1942, to the South Pacific Theatre base at New Caledonia. Upon his Honorable Discharge from the United States Army, Paul returned to farming.
On December 31, 1944, he married Berneice Chaney of Sikeston, who survives of the home.
Other survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, Paul Mitchell and Denise Schuerenberg, Jr. of Poplar Bluff, and one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Schuerenberg Vandiver of Bloomfield. Four grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his older brother, William Lee Schuerenberg, who died February 13, 1970.
Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m., Friday, January 13, at the Nunnelee Funeral Chapel in Sikeston, where services will held at 10:30a.m. Saturday, with the Rev. Dr. Tom Bass of Cape Girardeau, officiating.
Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.
Pallbearers will be Chris Vandiver, Matt Schuerenberg, Chase Collom, Scott Wheeler, Chris Freed and David Wheeler.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the Homeless Veterans General Purpose Fund, c/o John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, 1500 N. Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.
Ellen Jo Dowdy, daughter of the late Paul W. Sitton and Mary Shell Sitton was born on August 1, 1944 in Dexter and died on January 10, 2012 at her residence in Dexter at the age of 67.
Mrs. Dowdy was member of the Heartland Quilting Guild and the American Legion Auxiliary. She was a home-maker and a resident of Dexter.
On March 9, 1968 she was united in marriage to Gary Don Dowdy in Dexter. Mr. Dowdy preceded her in death on October 14, 2011.
She is survived by one son, Brian Dowdy of Sikeston; by one brother, Charles Sitton of Sikeston and by two sisters, Marian Chittenden of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Joyce Clark of Dexter.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Thursday, January 12, 2012 from 5 until 8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m., Friday, January 13, 2012 in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel in Dexter. Interment will follow in the Armstead-Dowdy cemetery.
Doc was a former respiratory therapist, loved to shoot pool, play poker, sang karaoke, and was an avid hunter. He was of the Catholic affiliation and a resident of Dudley.
Survivors include one son, August John Scherer III of Bentonville, Arkansas; by two grandchildren, Johnathan M. Gauthier and August Jacobi Scherer; by his mother, Opal Scherer of Puxico; one brother, Mike Scherer of Metropolis, Illinois; by two sisters, Robin Branch of Bloomington, Indiana and Mary Vincent of Puxico.
Friends may call at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter on Wednesday January 11, 2012 from 3 until 5 p.m. Memorial services will be conducted at 5 p.m., January 11, 2012 with Father David Dohoghe and Rev. John Rush officiating.
She was a member of the Streator, Illinois Eagles Aerie where she had lived for many years. She moved to Dexter in November of 2011.
Surviving are one daughter, Linda Harlacher of Dexter; nine grandchildren; eleven great grandchildren; two brothers, Richard Suk of Alabama, Rodney Suk of Arizona; one sister, Germain Molina of Aurora, Illinois. Other family and friends also survive her.
She was preceded in death by one son, Gary Lopez; one brother, Frank Suk; and two sisters, Francis Gomez and Carol Long.
Private services will be held by the family.
Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.watkinsfuneralhome.com
She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Parma and had been a 4-H Leader.
On August 21, 1954 she was married to Ted Morgan in New Madrid, Missouri.
Surviving are her husband, Ted Morgan of Parma, Missouri; two sons, Michael Morgan of Bernie, Missouri, Doyle Crews of Springfield, Missouri; one daughter, Judy Morgan Kerperien of Glennonville, Missouri; seven grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; one brother, Robert L. Keller of Matthews, Missouri; and two sisters, Edith Harrison of Eueka, Missouri and Lorece Starkey of St. Amant, Louisiana. Other family and friends also survive her.
She was preceded in death by one son, Dale Crews, two sisters, Elwanda Keller and Lillian Foster.
Memorial services will be held on at 11 a.m., Friday, January 13, 2012, the First Baptist Church in Parma with Bro. Kerry Stokes of Charleston and VNA Hospice Chaplain Ron Winstead offciating.
Watkins and Sons Funeral Service of Parma in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 188, Parma, Missouri 63870 or the charity of your choice.
