Wilmer Nall

Wilmer D. Nall, 85, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of East Cape Girardeau, Illinois, passed away Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at his daughter's home.

Wilmer was born Aug. 19, 1935, in Mason County, Illinois, to Ernest W. and Edna McDaniel Nall.

He graduated from Bath-Lynchburg (Balyki) High School in Bath, Illinois, in 1953. He went on to study at Illinois State University, Bradley University and Western Illinois University until he earned his specialist degree in education. He taught industrial arts in Divernon and Mason City, Illinois. He was high school principal and later superintendent of schools at his alma mater, Balyki. He later was superintendent of the Mount Auburn, Illinois, district and concluded his career as superintendent of schools at Shawnee School District in Wolf Lake, Illinois, retiring in 1994.

Wilmer served in the U.S. Army in the late 1950s. He served most of his military stint in Germany. Among his other duties, he played on his base's baseball team, The Dragoons. He enjoyed traveling to other bases to play their teams. He also took advantage of being overseas and used his leave to tour European countries and famous landmarks and had many pictures and slides of those amazing sites.

Wilmer went on a blind date with Marilyn Haage in August 1961. They were married a short four months later Dec. 28, 1961, in Havana, Illinois. Wilmer and Marilyn were happily married for 57 1/2 years (he always included that 1/2), until her passing in May 2019. Wilmer and Marilyn had a great love for country music. They went to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, on their honeymoon. Over the years, they enjoyed many trips to Branson and loved attending various music shows. They enjoyed traveling around the U.S. and often pulled their camper on their trips. They also enjoyed watching British comedies on TV.

Wilmer was a diehard fan of the Chicago Cubs and took a lot of teasing for it when he moved to the Cape Girardeau area. Wilmer had a great sense of humor and had a joke for every situation. He found the humor in life and shared it with all those around him.

Wilmer was a member of Mount Auburn Christian Church and served in various capacities over the years, including as a deacon and later an elder. His faith in Jesus was the focal point of Wilmer's life. He was a shining example of a Christian man, husband and father.

Loving survivors include his daughters, Tracey (Wes) Tripp of Cape Girardeau and Tricia (John) Josephs of Cypress, Texas; grandchildren, Trevor Dunn (Ashley Cook) of Warrenton, Missouri, Halie (Tim) Simmons of Evansville, Indiana, and Colby Brennan of Cypress; great-grandchildren, Reid and Aubrey Simmons of Evansville; brothers, Ernest J. (Charlene) Nall of Manito, Illinois, and Michael (Arlene) Nall of The Villages, Florida; sister, Lois French of Bath; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ed and Cathy Haage of Havana; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Charles Nall; and a brother-in-law, Vince French.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1, with funeral to follow at 6:30 p.m., at Mount Auburn Christian Church. Minister Casey Elmore will officiate the service.

A graveside service and inurnment will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 3 at Bethel Baptist Cemetery in Mason County. Minister Mike Hopps will officiate.

Memorial donations may be made to Mount Auburn Christian Church, 930 N, Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. Envelopes will be available at the church.

Crain Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Cape Girardeau is in charge of local arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.