Helen P. Schnirch

Helen P. Schnirch

Helen Pauline Kreissler Schnirch, 81 of Kirksville passed away Monday (December 26, 2011) at University Hospital in Columbia, MO.

The beautiful daughter of Arthur and Alma (Jaekel) Kreissler born December 7, 1930 in Lincoln, MO. She grew up one of four children, and attended school in Lincoln and graduated from the Lincoln High School, where she enjoyed participating in theatrical arts. On April 10, 1948 in Lincoln, MO she was married to Norman F. Schnirch, celebrating their 50th anniversary in 1998. As a young lady she worked as a nanny in Sedalia, MO, and also waited tables. In 1964 she and Norman moved to Kirksville, where she worked for McGraw Edison for 25 years until she happily retired to enjoy raising her grandchildren.

She enjoyed playing cards, feeding and watching the squirrels and birds, especially the squirrels, scratching lottery tickets, fishing and traveling. She loved spending time with her family and enjoyed going to and planning big family reunions held every year in Stover, MO.

Helen is survived by three sons, Stephen Norman Schnirch and wife Laura of Phoenix, AZ, Michael Wayne Schnirch and Cindy Watson of Kirksville, and Kelly Neal Schnirch and wife Paula of Belfair, WA; two daughters, Connie Kay Stoner and husband Larry of Blue Springs, MO and Shelly Ann Behrens and husband Randy of Kirksville; 24 grandchildren, Julie (Paul) Musgrove, Grant (Alicia) Stoner, Kim Stoner, Colin Stoner & Kim Bemis, David (Desiree) Schnirch, Kelley (Roger) Lund, Danielle Schnirch, Stephanie Schnirch, Heather Schnirch, Sarah Mahoney, Kelly Mahoney, Mindy Ann Schnirch & Todd Asbury, Michael Scott Schnirch & Colissa Parrish, Joshua Schnirch, Justin Schnirch, Jezirae Schnirch, Eric Neil (Joni) Behrens, Tyler Duane Behrens, Lacey Jae (Billy) Gordy, and Nicholas Coy Behrens & Becky Bogdanowicz; 23 great grandchildren, Jessica Stuart and Jonathan Gaines, Joel Stuart, Caleb Brainard, Kylie and Makenzie Musgrove, Amanda, Bryson, Nick and Mark Lund, Madison, Lane & Adalyn Gordy, Payton Behrens, Hayden and Reese Asbury, Maverick and Memphis Schnirch, Wyatt and Naomi Stoner, Ella and Annika Schnirch and Santi Schnirch Shafa; one great-great grandchild, Jonathan Gaines; one sister, Karen (Bob) Kreissler Graham of Columbia, MO; sisters-in-law, Betty Kreissler Davis of Independence, MO, Betty James of Versailles, MO, Mary (Charlie) Johnson of Ashton, IA, Helen (Glen) Long of Versailles, MO, Florene Schnirch of Stover, MO; and one brother-in-law, Raymond (Evelyn) Schnirch of Kansas City, KS.; also many beloved nephews and nieces.

Helen will be greated in heaven by her parents, her beloved husband Norman, her brother, Robert Kreissler, and sister, Elnore Myres..

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday (December 31, 2011) at the Faith Lutheran Church with Pastor David Lukefahr officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Scott Schnirch (grandson), Nic Behrens (grandson), David Schnirch (grandson), Joel Stuart (great grandson), Eddie James (nephew) and Eric Behrens (grandson). Honorary pallbearers are grandsons: Colin and Grant Stoner, Joshua and Justin Schnirch, Tyler Behrens, and Billy Gordy.

Visitation with the family will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Friday at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, 2100 E. Shepherd Ave., Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorials are suggested to the Faith Lutheran Church.