Statler Family Obituaries
Essner, Vincent Stephen
KELSO, Mo. -- Vincent Stephen Essner, 92, of Kelso died Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, at his home.
He was born July 31, 1920, in New Hamburg, Mo., to Leo W. and Rosa H. Uhrhan Essner. He and Lorena Mary Diebold were married May 4, 1946, in Kelso.
Vincent was a veterinary technician in the U.S. Army during World War II. He received four Bronze Stars for campaigns in Southern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and Rome-Arno.
He was a stitcher at Sports Specialty Shoes in Chaffee. He also worked at Superior Electric and was a farmer. He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Kelso and VFW in Scott City.
Survivors include four sons, Norman (Dorothy) Essner, Robert (Karla) Essner, Jerome (Beverly) Essner, Kevin (Laurie) Essner, all of Kelso; three daughters, Anna Rose (Francis) Bles, Marilyn (Randal) Friend, Shirley (Greg) Eftink, all of Kelso; four brothers, Simon (Clara) Essner of Kelso, John A. (Ina) Essner of Cape Girardeau, Herman (Dorothy) Essner of Maryland Heights, Mo., and Paul W. (Geneva) Essner of New Hamburg.
Also 23 grandchildren, Mike Bles, Kristie (Jason) Slinkard, Dan Bles, Lori (David) Blechle, Randy (Amy) Essner, Leeanna (Chad) Seiler, Anton Essner, Aaron Friend, Todd (Stephanie) Friend, Chad Friend, Nathan (Alison) Essner, Bonnie (Jim Maurer) Essner, Lee Essner, Scott (Sarah) Essner, Amy (Ryan) Mattes, Neal (Melissa) Essner, Renee (Matthew) Scroggins, Kyle Essner, Brian (Valarie) Hulshof, Michelle (Ryan) Garnett, Brittany, Madeline and John Essner; 12 great-grandchildren, Zachary and Kendyl Slinkard, Isabella Blechle, Emma Essner, Peyton Friend, Audrey Essner, Cameron Essner, Nicole, Dominic, Kelly and Owen Mattes, and Dylan Essner.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a son-in-law, Gordon Hulshof.
Friends may call from 4:30 to 8 p.m. today at St. Augustine Church. Parish rosary will be at 7 p.m., followed by a Knights of Columbus service.
Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Oliver Clavin officiating. Burial will be in St. Augustine Cemetery, with graveside military rites provided by Missouri Honors Team.
Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be given to Notre Dame Foundation or St. Augustine School Foundation.
Printed in the Tuesday, September 25, 2012 edition of the Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau, MO.
©2012 by David Statler of StatlerWeb