Paul Stehr

Paul William "Herk" Stehr peacefully passed away Monday, Aug 28, 2023, at the age of 87.

Paul was born March 30, 1936, to Rudolph Stehr and Lillian Schwab, and spent most of his life in his hometown of Cape Girardeau.

Paul was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and proud U.S. Marine. He married the love of his life, Joan Porter, in 1958, and together they raised three daughters, Teri (Rick) Hinkebein, Staci (Greg) Johnson and Cassi (Jorg) Weissflog.

Paul had a deep love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and a passion for studying His word. His Saturday morning Bible study was often the highlight of his week, and he developed many faithful friends through this study over the years.

Paul prided himself in being a hard worker, and most would say he was a high achiever. He began working at the young age of 8, carrying newspapers for the Southeast Missourian.

Paul attended Cape Girardeau Central High School, graduating with the Class of 1954. While in high school, Paul earned the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. He participated in Student Council and served two years as student body president. He was also a member and president of National Honor Society. Paul excelled in athletics while at Central, particularly basketball (guard) and baseball (shortstop). He played shortstop on the Cape Girardeau American Legion Baseball team from 1950 to 1954 and won back-to-back state championships in 1951 and 1952. During his senior year, Central's basketball and baseball teams won the 1954 Missouri State Championships, and Paul was named the basketball team's Most Valuable Player during the state championship. Paul remained close friends with his teammates — Don Koch and Dub Suedekum — throughout his life, and they made many happy memories during their time together.

After high school, Paul attended the University of Missouri on a Marine Corps Scholarship and became an active member of ROTC. He joined Phi Delta Theta fraternity his freshman year and served as president his senior year. During his four years at Mizzou, Paul continued his athletic career as a member of the basketball and baseball teams. During the 1957 Baseball College World Series, he helped take his team to the championship game. Paul also held the record for the most stolen bases at the University of Missouri for many years.

It was during an away basketball game at the University of Kansas that Paul reconnected with his high school girlfriend and love of his life, Joan Porter. They married shortly after graduation, and Paul began his career in the Marines, stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Clemente, California. During his time of service, he rose to the rank of captain. His love of singing led him to become a member of the Marine Corps Choir, and he fondly remembered singing with the choir on the "Ed Sullivan Show".

After his time in the Marines, Paul and Joan spent several years in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Paul worked for Collins Radio. Longing to be closer to family, he and Joan moved back to Cape Girardeau and fulfilled Paul's dream of opening a clothing and athletic store, The University Shop, located across from Houck Stadium. While in Cape Girardeau, they became faithful members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, where Paul sang in the choir and served as an elder. Paul spent the later years of his career in the insurance industry.

Paul deeply loved his hometown of Cape Girardeau and proudly served on the City Council and three years as mayor. He and Joanie reluctantly moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in his later years to be closer to their daughters.

Despite his many accomplishments, Paul will mostly be remembered for his faithfulness, servant leadership, playful personality and love of his family. Paul was a loyal friend, having lifelong relationships with many childhood friends. He was a devoted father, joyful grandfather and playful great-grandfather who deeply loved his family and enjoyed being close to them in his later years.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Lillian Stehr, and his beloved brother, Don Stehr.

Survivors include his loving wife, Joan Stehr of Charlotte; his daughters, Teri Hinkebein (Rick) of Charlotte, Staci Johnson (Greg) of Lake Wylie, South Carolina, and Cassi Weissflog (Jorg) of Fayetteville, Georgia. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Amanda Hinkebein Meyers (Jimmy), Chris Hinkebein (Jordan), Blake Johnson (Mary), Chad Johnson (Catherine), Alex Johnson (fiancee Claire), Isabella Weissflog and Jacob Weissflog; three great-grandchildren, Ella and Lucy Meyers and Collins Hinkebein; and many lifelong friends.

The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, at Ford and Sons Funeral Home on Mount Auburn Road.

A memorial service will immediately follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Debra Tracy officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery following the service.

Pallbearers will include grandsons Chris Hinkebein, Blake Johnson, Chad Johnson, Alex Johnson, Jacob Weissflog and Jimmy Meyers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tunnel 2 Towers — www.T2T.org — in memory of Paul W. Stehr.

An online guest book and obituary are available at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.