Paul Schnare

Paul D. Schnare, 79, of Cape Girardeau was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024.

He was born May 21, 1945, in Marshall to Martin G. and Lois V. Brockmeier Schnare. He was baptized at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marshall. He moved to Cape Girardeau in 1955 and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in 1959.

He attended grade school in both Marshall and at Trinity Lutheran in Cape Girardeau. He went to Cape Girardeau Central High School, where he played clarinet, saxophone and bassoon in both the band and the orchestra. He then attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry in 1967 and a Master of Science in Plant Physiology and Genetics in 1969, and a doctorate in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry in 1974. He also had a music scholarship to play saxophone in band and bassoon in orchestra at Mizzou. He was a member of Beta Sigma Psi.

In 1969, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed for two years at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He also worked part-time at Prince George's County Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, in the lab.

He and Marilyn Louise Brockmiller were married Dec. 17, 1966.

His loving children include Nicole Valle Schnare, born July 19, 1970, and Paul Christian Schnare, born April 11, 1973; loving grandchildren, Kelsi Siebert, Coby Siebert and Kory Siebert; and loving great-granddaughter, Emersyn Lynn Kilby.

In 1975, Paul started Lawn Care Co. in Columbia. In 1976, he partnered with Atkins Chemical Co. to form Atkins Lawn Care Co., specializing in chemical lawn spraying in Columbia. In 1981, he purchased the Cape Girardeau and Carbondale divisions of Atkins Lawn Care and started Accu Spray Lawn Care Co. In 1983, he purchased Ochs Greenhouse and Florist and changed the company name to Accu Grow Gardens and Florist. In 1992, he purchased Sunny Hill Garden Center and changed the name to Sunny Hill Gardens and Florist. He was on the founding Board of Directors of Professional Lawn Care Association of America (PLCAA).

From 2006 to 2010, he was on the Southeast Missouri State University Department of Agriculture faculty and wrote articles in the Southeast Missourian newspaper on gardening under the pseudonym, "Dr. Grow". He was also on KFVS-12 giving gardening tips and had a radio segment on K103.

Paul served on the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, serving on various church boards, teaching Sunday school and, for one month, was principal of Trinity Lutheran School with the Rev. Douglas Breite as pastor.

Paul was a loving, caring Christian husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all. He enjoyed being with family and being a mentor and helpful to all. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling and family get-togethers.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Paul Christian Schnare; and brother, Ronnie Schnare.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at the church, with the Rev. Douglas Breite officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Chris Schnare Memorial Fund at Trinity Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran School or Saxony Lutheran High School.

Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.