Rev. Frederick Schmucker

Rev. Frederick Thomas Schmucker, 76, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday afternoon, June 14, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born Nov. 10, 1929, in Canton, Ohio, son of John Luther and Ethel Thomas Schmucker. On May 31, 1997, he was married to Margaret McCabe in New Jersey.

He was a graduate of Capital University and Trinity Lutheran Seminary, both in Ohio, where he also served in the Naval Reserves.

He served as a parish pastor, hospital chaplain, and clinical pastoral education (CPE) supervisor for more than 50 years.

During his ministry he mentored countless members of the ministry through CPE at various hospitals in the Midwest and the Northeast. He also served as an advisory board member for Lutheran Family and Children's Services of Southeast Missouri.

Following retirement he served as an E.L.C.A. missionary to Vilnius, Lithuania, and sponsored a Lithuanian seminary student at Eden Seminary in St. Louis.

Rev. Schmucker received his private pilot's license on his 17th birthday and continued to fly as a hobby until shortly before his death. He was a board member of Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, active in the local chapters of Experimental Aircraft Association and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and provided free flights to youth interested in aviation through the Young Eagles Program.

Rev. Schmucker was also a licensed amateur (HAM) radio operator for most of his life, and enjoyed classical music and opera.

He is survived by his wife of nine years, Margaret McCabe Schmucker; a sister, Madeline Thoss; a sister-in-law Eleanor Smith Schmucker; a brother, Derek Mumford of Little Rock, Ark., his mother-in-law, Rose McCabe; and six adult children from a previous marriage, Elizabeth Schmucker of San Antonio, Texas, Rebecca Schmucker, wife of Robert Ringenberger of New York City, Madelyn Schmucker, wife of Alan Sample of Cape Girardeau, Helen Schmucker, wife of Stephen Todd Spencer of Oak Park, Ill., Frederick Schmucker Jr. and wife Mary Beth Novy Schmucker of Bloomington, Ind., and Margaret Schmucker of Austin, Texas.

Survivors also include seven grandchildren, Megan and Zachary Sample, Stephen, Adam and Patrick Spencer, Hallie and Adeline Schmucker, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rev. Schmucker was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, David Schmucker and Brian Mumford.

Friends and relatives may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1900 Cape LaCroix Road. Former CPE students, Father Steve Humphries and Father Jim Daugherty, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to St. Mark Lutheran Church E.L.C.A.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.