MISSOURIAN CIRCULATION MANAGER MICHAEL STURM, 46, DIES SUNDAY

Southeast Missourian circulation manager Michael Sturm, 46, died Sunday, April 17, 1994, of an apparent heart attack.

News of his sudden death left associates and friends with a sense of deep loss.

"We're all stunned by this," said Southeast Missourian publisher Wally Lage. "We knew Mike had health problems in the past, but he just bought a treadmill to use at his home and seemed to be getting in shape. If anything we thought he was doing better."

Said Lage: "We're deeply saddened by this. Mike had the most important qualities a circulation manager could have: someone you could trust, with good attention to detail. He was just a great guy who will really be missed."

Sturm, 3206 Kage Road, was pronounced dead at St. Francis Medical Center. Arrangements were incomplete Sunday night at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Chapel.

He had suffered previous heart attacks.

Concord Publishing President Gary Rust knew Sturm as far back as the circulation manager's stint with the Bulletin Journal, a tri-weekly newspaper founded by Rust. Sturm started working in the circulation department at the Bulletin Journal June 1, 1978.

"Mike was very kind and honest," said Rust. "He had been with us from the Bulletin Journal days through the purchase of the Southeast Missourian in 1986. We were aware that Mike had two previous heart attacks and told him to pace himself."

Rust said: "He wanted the job done right. If he got a call that a paper wasn't delivered to the right place, Mike was the kind of person who would want to take it there himself if that's what needed to be done."

Southeast Missourian marketing and circulation director Mark Kneer said, "Mike did an outstanding job helping me get acquainted with the community." Kneer left his job as circulation manager in Paducah, Ky., to become marketing and circulation director at the Missourian in January 1994.

"He made my transition to Cape very easy," said Kneer. "As far as getting the geographics down, knowing what town is where, Mike helped me get all of that down in a short period of time.

"Mike and I had a lot of plans for the future," said Kneer. "This comes as such a big shock. We were planning on redoing some districts to better serve the customers. Mike will be missed not only by the people who worked with him but the community as well."

Kneer indicated Sturm was taking steps to take care of his health problems. "About three weeks ago he said he was tired. So he had a checkup at St. Francis and got on an exercise program. I believe he did a few exercises at the hospital before he bought the treadmill and started exercising on it at home."

One of the most revealing characteristics about Sturm was his staunch faith in those who worked for him. "Mike told me that some of the people here may not do things exactly the way you want, but they're very hard workers and will get the job done," said Kneer.

Sturm grew up in Dexter and graduated from Dexter High School. He went on to the University of Missouri and North Texas State University, where he played football and received a degree in education.

"I remember Mike told me that one of his teammates at North Texas State was Mean Joe Greene of the Pittsburgh Steelers," said Kneer. "He knew a great deal about his profession, but also about so many other things. I will miss him a great deal."

Sturm coached football as an assistant at Cape Central High School before moving on to a career in the newspaper business.