Earl Siemers

Earl Martin Siemers, 94, of Cape Girardeau passed away Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, at Southeast Hospital.

He was born March 25, 1923, on the family farm in Cape Girardeau County, to August Henry and Edna Ida Schwab Siemers. Earl and Irene Marie Siebert were married Nov. 30, 1947, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit, by the Rev. H.J. Strickert.

Earl was baptized at his family home, by the Rev. F.H. Melzer, on April 22, 1923, and confirmed March 21, 1937, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, now Trinity Lutheran Church.

He received his elementary education at Trinity Lutheran School. He was a 1941 graduate of College High School in Cape Girardeau, where he played basketball and served as class president.

Early in life, he joined his father and brother, Arthur, working on the 155-acre family farm and dairy business. He was a Seaman First Class in the U.S. Navy, serving honorably during World War II from March 3, 1945, to July 29, 1946. After the war, he returned to the family dairy business, and in 1964 became the sole owner, retiring in 1988. From 1951-1952, he served as deputy assessor for Cape County Assessor John Wescoat.

Through the years, Earl was very active in many organizations and held many leadership positions: the Missouri Holstein Association; Cape County Farm Bureau Board; COOP Service Center; Dairy Herd Improvement Association; Cape County Soil and Water Conservation District; Cape County Agricultural Stabilization Conservation Service; Cape County Planning and Zoning Board; and the SEMO Fair Board.

Other affiliations included Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 in Cape Girardeau; Southeast Health Association and Foundation; Saint Francis Medical Center Foundation; Southeast Missouri University Foundation; Trinity Lutheran School Foundation; and Saxony Lutheran School Foundation.

Earl proudly volunteered at Saint Francis Medical Center since 1992, working with microfilm and the Critical Care Waiting Unit. He was accredited with 39,830 volunteer hours, performing kind acts and offering comfort and compassion to many. He also served as a project leader many years for the Campster 4-H Club.

As a devout follower of his Lord Jesus Christ, Earl was devoted and committed to his church, Trinity Lutheran. He served in many capacities, as a scout and sponsor for the merits of dairying, the board of stewards, board of ushers, dart-ball team, voters' assembly, an usher, the men's club, and was a former co-chairman of Trinity's food stand at the SEMO Fair.

Loving survivors include his wife and constant companion of over 70 years, Irene of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Allene (Leon) Ainsworth of Cape Girardeau and a sister-in-law, Meta Siemers; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law from Irene's family; and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Helen Siemers; and two brothers, Harry and Arthur Siemers.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Douglas Breite officiating. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or the donor's choice of church or charity.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.