Ray Schonhoff Jr.

DES ARC, Ark. -- Ray C. Schonhoff Jr., 73, of Des Arc, formerly of Cape Girardeau, passed away Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at Des Arc Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Des Arc.

He was born June 23, 1943, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Raymond C. and Alma Stoll Schonhoff. Ray married Maxine Hopson on May 16, 1997, and she survives of the home.

He grew up on the Schonhoff Dairy Farm. Although now part of the city of Cape Girardeau, the dairy farm had been a part of rural Cape Girardeau County, existing just to the west of the city of Cape Girardeau. "Sonny" grew up working on the dairy, where he "hopped" bottles and did general farm chores.

He was a graduate of St. Mary's Grade School and Cape Girardeau Central High School. For the better part of his adult life, Ray was a self-employed contractor, working many years in the Cape Girardeau, Van Buren, Missouri, and Stuttgart, Arkansas, areas.

Ray was a member of Elks Lodge 639 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3838 of Cape Girardeau. He was an avid hunter and fisherman with memberships to Ducks Unlimited and other organizations that support wildlife conservation.

Loving survivors include three daughters and five grandchildren, Amy Schonhoff Baker and Jessica and Hunter Baker of Cape Girardeau; Erica (Jack) Griffin and Tyler, Zachary and Katie of Van Buren and Amanda Keller of California; a brother, Stephen (Beverly) of Oak Ridge, and a sister, Mary Ellen (Franklin) of Las Cruces, New Mexico; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Patricia and Lucille.

In memory of Ray, you may make a personal donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Services and burial will be private.

Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan, Arkansas.

Online condolences may be shared at buiefuneralhome.com.