GARY A. EMMENDERFER

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Gary A. Emmenderfer, 51, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Dec. 18, 1994, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau. He collapsed Sunday afternoon while cutting wood at a farm in north Cape Girardeau County.

He was born March 10, 1943, in Perryville to August and Elta Sutterer Emmenderfer.

He married Mary Ann Lappe on April 24, 1965, in Cape Girardeau. She survives.

In addition to his wife, Emmenderfer is survived by two sons, Jeff and Jason of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Lisa Kight of Cape Girardeau and Lynn Emmenderfer of the home; a brother, Lee Emmenderfer of Perryville; three sisters, Eileen Lueders of Altenburg, Carol Brandel of St. Louis and Margie DeWilde of Perryville; and a grandson.

A brother preceded him in death.

Emmenderfer was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral Parish.

He was raised in Perryville where he was a three-sport participant: football, track and basketball.

At Southeast Missouri State University, he played four years of football as a linebacker, achieving all-conference status.

He also was in the U.S. Navy ROTC program at Southeast.

Emmenderfer graduated from Southeast with a master's degree in biology in 1968.

He coached and taught a year at Fredericktown High School and two years at St. Vincent's at Perryville.

In 1969, Emmenderfer began coaching and teaching at Cape Central High School. He was head football coach for four years during his tenure. Emmenderfer specialized in defensive coaching.

He left coaching in 1992 and began full-time teaching in the science department at Central.

Friends may call at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. Parish prayers begin at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral service will be at St. Mary's Cathedral Tuesday at 10 a.m., with the Revs. James A. Seyer and Francis L. Seyer officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.