Paul L. Essner's 90th birthday parade

Jacob Wiegand

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Paul L. Essner of Benton, Missouri, wasn’t able to have his 90th birthday party as planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that didn’t stop his family from throwing him a birthday parade. Paul and his wife Bert sat outside St. Denis Catholic School for the parade Saturday, April 18, 2020, in Benton. Numerous vehicles and their occupants paraded for about 15 minutes past where Paul and Bert were seated.

On his 90th birthday, Paul L. Essner of Benton, Missouri, and his wife Bert Essner watch a parade celebrating Paul's birthday Saturday, April 18, 2020, outside St. Denis Catholic School in Benton, Missouri. Betty Essner of Benton, Paul's daughter-in-law, said they had planned to have a 90th birthday party and open house for Paul at the St. Denis parish center. But when the gathering was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was decided to have a parade instead. "It's a little sad," Betty said of the change in plans. "We were really looking forward to having everybody together because we're a big family and we're spread out." Numerous vehicles and their occupants paraded for about 15 minutes past where Paul and Bert were seated. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
On his 90th birthday, Paul L. Essner of Benton, Missouri, and his wife Bert Essner wave to people passing in a parade celebrating Paul's birthday Saturday, April 18, 2020, outside St. Denis Catholic School in Benton, Missouri. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
Sara Hussman (Paul L. Essner's granddaughter), brothers Jack (waving) and Hank Hussman (Paul's great-grandsons) and Nick Hussman (driving), of Cape Girardeau, and Madison Enderle (Paul's great-granddaughter, sticking out of second vehicle) and her mother Tanya Essner (Paul's granddaughter, driving), of Cape Girardeau, take part in a parade to celebrate the Paul's 90th birthday Saturday, April 18, 2020, along U.S. 61 in Benton, Missouri. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
On his 90th birthday, Paul L. Essner of Benton, Missouri, and his wife Bert Essner wave to people passing in a parade celebrating Paul's birthday Saturday, April 18, 2020, outside St. Denis Catholic School in Benton, Missouri. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)

A birthday card for the 90th birthday of Paul L. Essner of Benton, Missouri, is seen out the window of a vehicle taking part in parade to celebrate Paul's birthday Saturday, April 18, 2020, along U.S. 61 in Benton, Missouri. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
A birthday sign for the 90th birthday of Paul L. Essner of Benton, Missouri, is seen on a vehicle taking part in parade to celebrate Paul's birthday Saturday, April 18, 2020, along U.S. 61 in Benton, Missouri. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)
On his 90th birthday, Paul L. Essner of Benton, Missouri, and his wife Bert Essner wave to people passing in a parade celebrating Paul's birthday Saturday, April 18, 2020, outside St. Denis Catholic School in Benton, Missouri. (Jacob Wiegand ~ Southeast Missourian)