Cornelius 'Cornel' Seyer

Cornelius "Cornel" Seyer, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at Southeast Missouri Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on Oct. 15, 1932, in Cape Girardeau to the late Otto and Corena Schott Seyer. He married Barbara Wubker on Oct. 15, 1960 at Leopold, Mo.

He began work delivering milk at age 9 for Schonoff Dairy. He later worked for Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and Sugar Creek Creamery and went on to serve two years in the U.S. Army. He worked as an auto mechanic for Wright's Garage, LeGrand's Garage, Weithop Truck and Nations Plymouth & Valiant.

In 1962, he established C.J. Seyer's Garage. In 1998, he retired and turned the business over to his son. After retiring, he drove for SADI.

Mr. Seyer was a lifetime member of St. Mary's Cathedral Church and graduated from St. Mary's school. He was proud to assist the church in any way he could. He was proud to be a Mass server at 6 a.m. Mass which he attended regularly. He also served the church as an usher and spent years maintaining the bells of St. Mary's.

Mr. Seyer was a member of American Legion and UCT. He was captain of the White House Retreat, which he attended 36 years. He was an active member of the St Vincent DePaul Society of St. Mary's Church.

In 1974, Mr. Seyer was named Knights of Columbus Council 1111 Knight of the Year and later became a 4th Degree Knight and Honor Guard member.

Survivors include his wife Barbara, daughters Diana (Don) Palmer and Kathy (David) Easley, both of Cape Girardeau; Theresa (David) Taylor of McClure, Ill.; and Laura (Bill) Hayden of Jackson; sons Matt (Donna) Seyer, Randy Seyer and Keith Seyer, all of Cape Girardeau; and Stanley (Michelle) Seyer of Jackson. His grandchildren include Dina Arce, Dustin Palmer, Douglass, Michael, Jennifer and Jonathan Taylor, Christopher and Renee Seyer, Josh and Dylan Seyer, Shawn and Samantha Easley, and Brian and Melanie Hayden; and great-granddaughter, Aurelia Arce.

Surviving brothers include Gene Seyer of New Hamburg and Jerome Seyer of Cape Girardeau. His sisters include Janet Jarrell, Linda Hurt and Dorothy Seyer, all of Cape Girardeau; Mary Ann Terry, of Jackson; Virginia Ross, of Benton; LeWanda Toungbough, of Holland, Ohio; Jane Bilodeau, of Fenton; and Nancy Amelunke, of Columbia; an aunt, Sister Alvina of Red Bud, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Charles Seyer.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home Friday, with parish prayers at 7 p.m., followed by Knights of Columbus rosary. The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Cathedral with the Rev. Tom Kiefer officiating.

Graveside committal with full military honors by Missouri Honors Team will be Monday at Bloomfield Veteran's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to SADI Building Fund, 121 S. Broadview Plaza St., No. 12, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703, or St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Mary's Cathedral, two charities that were close to his heart.