Dr. John Schoenberger

Dr. John R. Schoenberger, 62, of Cape Girardeau passed away Saturday evening, March 6, 2011, at Southeast Hospital.

He was born April 2, 1948, in Murphysboro, Ill., son of John H. and Helen Hauner Schoenberger. He and Brenda Jean Parks were married June 30, 1978. Together they raised two children in Cape Girardeau, son Tech. Sgt. Michael Schoenberger and daughter Liesl Schoenberger.

Schoenberger graduated from St. Andrew's School in Murphysboro in 1962 and Murphysboro High School in 1966, later receiving the prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award from St. Andrew's. He earned a degree in biology from St. Louis University in 1970 and a degree in medicine from Loyola Chicago Stritch School of Medicine in 1980. He completed his residency at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Texas, before moving to Cape Girardeau to start a solo practice in internal medicine.

Board certified in internal medicine, he practiced with compassion and devotion in Cape Girardeau 25 years, famously beloved by his patients. He was known for his attentive bedside manner and his strong and quiet ability to counsel. He was a doctor of priests and referred to by his colleagues as a "physician's physician." His resolutely independent nature kept him in solo medical practice his entire life.

Schoenberger was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral. A man deeply devoted to his faith, he was a supporter of EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network). As a marriage of his hippocratic ideology as a physician and his faith, he was an avid pro-life advocate. He believed firmly and positively in the absolute dignity of all human life. Though known as a quiet and private man, he was quick-witted and always enjoyed a lively political debate.

Above all, he was a family man, forever putting his wife and children at the forefront of his life.

Survivors include his wife, Brenda; their children, Tech. Sgt. Michael Schoenberger (Lori) of Whiteman AFB, Mo., and Liesl Schoenberger of New Haven, Conn.; three grandchildren, Houston, Kaleigh and Preston Schoenberger of Whiteman AFB; three sisters, Helen Kiel (Robert) and Margie O'Leary (Michael) of Murphysboro, Cathy Barker (Stephen) of Eldorado, Ill.; several nephews and nieces.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. Parish prayers will be at 7, followed by remembrances of his life and the saying of the rosary.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Cathedral, with the Rev. James Seyer officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be his nephews, Matthew Kiel, Joe Shields, Michael O'Leary, John Patrick O'Leary, Garret Barker and Chris Barker.

Memorial contributions may be made to Birthright, 2633 Hopper Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701; St. Mary's Cathedral; Notre Dame Regional High School; or the scholarship of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsfuneralhome.com.