Paul Essner

KELSO, Mo. -- Paul Robert Essner, 80, of Kelso died Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, at the Chaffee Nursing Center in Chaffee, Mo.

He was born Jan. 23, 1931, in Chaffee, the son of Louis Adam and Leona Ann Scherer Essner. He married Leola Carmalee Tucker on Aug. 11, 1956, in Kelso.

Paul worked at Ely Walker and then at Procter & Gamble. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict. He was a member of Scott City Knights of Columbus Council 6420, Scott City VFW Post 6407 and Cape American Legion Post 63. He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Debbie (Brian) Totty of Eau Claire, Wis., Patty (Danny) Cope and Brenda (Rick) Arnzen, both of Kelso; two brothers, Cletus Essner of Kelso and Eugene Essner of Brightwood, Va.; six grandchildren, Brandy McKnight, Keith Totty, Amanda Slater, Jessica Hann, Nathan Arnzen and Danielle Cope; and six great-grandchildren, Taylor and Katie McKnight, Jeremy and Tori Totty and Kylie and Brianna Slater.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, five brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Scott City. Parish prayers will begin at 6:30, followed by a Knights of Columbus prayer service.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Augustine Church, with the Rev. Oliver Clavin officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow in the parish cemetery in Kelso.

The family requests memorials to St. Augustine School Foundation in Kelso.