Cletus Scherer

BENTON, Mo. -- Cletus L. Scherer, 84, of Benton died Sunday, April 25, 2010, at his home.

He was born Aug. 8, 1925, son of George and Katie Glueck Scherer. He and Iva Hahs were married Sept. 1, 1945. She preceded him in death June 12, 1976.

Cletus worked at several professions in his early years, until he settled with what most people knew him as -- a great carpenter and painter. He loved to play music and was in a band called the Melody Boys, who were invited to play at the Grand Ole Opry. He was an avid gardener who could grow anything and took pride in the best tomatoes around.

He was a member of St. Denis Catholic Church in Benton, and the 1967 New Hamburg softball team that won the fast-pitch state championship in St. Joseph, Mo.

Survivors include a daughter, Barbara K. Urhahn; a son, Randy (Judy) Scherer, both of Benton; four grandchildren, Jim (Shelly) Urhahn, Travis Scherer, Amanda (C.J.) Loy, Michael (Libby) Urhahn; seven great-grandchildren, Hunter, Kaelyn and Evan Urhahn, Caleb and Mason Loy, and Landon and Mallory Urhahn.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Judy Ann Urhahn; a son-in-law, Jim Urhahn; seven sisters, Coletta Menz, Caroline Robert, Alma Heuring, Peggy Heisserer, Marcella Schlitt, Armella McClain, Irmina Scherer; three brothers, Theon Scherer, Tony Scherer and Ben Millering.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton. Parish prayers will be at 6:30.

Funeral Mass will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Denis Church, with the Rev. Michael Casteel as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Denis Cemetery.