Herbert Essner

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. -- Herbert Anton Essner, 83, of New Hamburg passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 16, 1920, in New Hamburg, son of Nicholas A. and Coena M. Welter Essner. He and Virginia I. Diebold were married May 7, 1946, at Benton, Mo.

Herbert was a lifetime farmer and also retired from Associated Building Center in Cape Girardeau.

He supported his country by serving in the Army Air Force as a technical sergeant during World War II.

In addition to his loving wife, survivors include five sons and four daughters-in-law, Jim and Hope Essner of Kelso, Mo., Mike and Donna Essner of Scott City, Tom and Linda Essner of New Hamburg, Fred Essner of Millersville, Terry and Shelly Essner of Jackson; a daughter and son-in-law, Pam and Lar-ry C. Heuring of Kelso; a brother, Raymond Essner of Kelso; a sister, Sylvia Reinagel of Cape Girar-deau; three half sisters, Rosie Horrell of Kelso, Marjorie Snider of Farmington, Mo., Cecilia Margrabe of Jackson; a stepbrother, Max Fuller of Benton; and a stepsister, Jerine Moore of Luxora, Ark.

Also 18 grandchildren, Tamara Glastetter, Todd Essner and Toni Craft; April Wiley, Jason, Aaron and Amy Essner; Suzy Gosche, Eric Heuring and Gina Miller; Marissa, Dana, Kelly and Megan Essner; Krysten Essner; Trent, Tyler and Seth Essner; four great-grandchildren, Nathan, Justin and Dylan Glastetter, and Kaden Essner.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Melvin and Leon Essner, and a sister, Pat Ressel.

Friends may call at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Benton from 4 to 8 p.m. today. The rosary will be at 7.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg, with the Rev. Tom Kiefer celebrating. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery, will full military honors by Missouri Honors Program.