Barbara Schuchart

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Barbara A. Schuchart, age 71, passed away at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011.

She was born April 7, 1939, in Sikeston to the late Wes and Ella Heuiser Schuchart.

Ms. Schuchart received her Catholic education at St. Francis Xavier Grade School in Sikeston and St. Henry's High School in Charleston, Mo., her B.S. degree in nursing from St. Louis University and her master's degree in nursing administration from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky. While at Bellarmine, she was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, an international honor society of nurses. She retired in 1998 after 33 years of practice.

Prior to becoming a registered nurse, Ms. Schuchart began her medical career as a radiologic technologist at Ferguson Medical Group in Sikeston.

She was an active, lifelong member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, a founding member of The Catholic Legacy Society in Springfield, Mo., and a member of The California Nurse Disaster Program.

In addition, she was a benefactor to the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, D.C., a benefactor to the Jesuits of the Missouri Province to St. Louis, the St. Scholastic Monastery in Fort Smith, Ark., the Pope John Paul II's Cultural Center in Washington, D.C., and a member of the Women of St. Francis Parish.

She is survived by one brother, Daniel Schuchart, of Bloomfield, Mo.; many nieces; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Ms. Schuchart was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Don Schuchart and John Schuchart; and her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. R.P. Schuchart Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Heuiser.

Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston with the rosary at 7:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Celebrants at the Mass will be the Rev. Patrick Quinn Sr., a close friend from St. Louis University; the Rev. Scott Sunnenberg from Marshfield, Mo.; the Rev. Patrick Now Koye from Nigeria; the Rev. Saviour Nundwe from Uganda; the Rev. Kizito Lwanga from Bungoma, Kenya; and the Rev. Glen Eftink from St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Burial will be in the family plot in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be her nephews, cousins and friends. Active pallbearers will be Danny Schuchart, Matt Schuchart, David Schuchart, Paul Schuchart, Juston Jarrell, and Judge Lewis Blanton. Honorary pallbearers will be Meredith Parker, Barbara Blanton, Ella Grace Keltner, Jamie Schuchart, and Kristin Jarrell.

Online condolences may be sent at www.ponderfuneralhome.com.