Cletus Michael Schnurbusch, 84, of Perryville, passed away on September 5, 2025, at The Chateau Girardeau Assisted Living Facility in Cape Girardeau.
He was born on April 8, 1941, in Cape Girardeau to Henry Edward and Clotilda H. (Leible) Schnurbusch.
Raised in Perryville, he attended Saint Boniface and Saint Vincent schools, and graduated from Saint Vincent High School in 1959.
On August 17, 1963, he married Rebecca H. “Becky” Welker, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Apple Creek. Together, they built a home and family in Perryville. He worked as an aircraft mechanic and inspector with Sabreliner Corporation, retiring after 43½ years of service. Faith was central to Cletus’s life. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus Council 1263, and the American Legion Booster Club. He volunteered with parish and civic activities, including the Saint Vincent’s Seminary Picnic, and served as a Little League Baseball manager and Cub and Boy Scout leader. Cletus was happiest when spending time with family. He enjoyed traveling in the United States, woodworking, watching Cardinals baseball, gardening, fishing, hunting, camping, and even embroidering quilt blocks.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Rebecca “Becky”; three children: Donna (Michael) Buchanan of Lee’s Summit, Ronald (Cheryl Olson) Schnurbusch of Jackson, and Curtis Schnurbusch of Perryville; three grandchildren: Austin (Anna Poudel) Buchanan of Lacey, Wash., Brandon Buchanan of Lee’s Summit, and Lauren Buchanan of Lee’s Summit; one great-grandchild: Phoebe Buchanan of Lacey, Wash.; two brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings: Edward C. “Junior” Schnurbusch, Eleanor “Sr. Sara Marie” Schnurbusch, and Eugene Schnurbusch (infant).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Perryville, with Rev. Thomas Esselman, C.M. and Rev. Joseph Geders, C.M. concelebrating.
Entombment will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery Mary Queen of Heaven Mausoleum in Perryville.
Visitation will be held Friday, September 12, from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, September 13, from 8 to 9:30 a.m., with rosary recited at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Ford and Young Funeral Home in Perryville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Saint Vincent de Paul parish and schools.
Online condolences may be made at www.fordandyoungfuneralhome.com.
Ford & Young Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
