Emma Schuler
Emma Irene (Witt) Schuler passed to her eternal reward on October 15, 2022 at the age of 93 years. She was born March 28, 1929 in Northcutt, Mo. to Will and Nora Irene (Dilks) Witt.
Emma lived with her parents and 7 siblings. She attended Goose Creek School until she was in the eighth grade, at which time the family moved to Sullivan in the summer of 1941. She stayed behind with her newly widowed Grandmother until December 1941, then also moved and began attending Sullivan Public School. In 1942 she began attending Temple Baptist Church. She graduated high school with the Class of 1945 as the Salutatorian. In the summer of 1946, she worked in Jefferson County with Associational Missions bringing Bible Schools to country churches. Emma was the Training Union director at the church and was involved in teaching the Young Married Adults class, Vacation Bible School, Women’s Missionary Union and Girl’s in Action. She taught school at Old Argo for one year after high school.
Eugene Schuler proposed in December of 1947 and on August 18, 1948, Emma and Eugene were married at Temple Baptist Church.
As time went on Emma, worked at the Paramount Cap factory in Bourbon, Mo.
Future years brought four children: Eugene Jr., April, Mary and Juanita. Emma taught by example that education was very important and everyone should try to make something of themselves: work hard and be productive, be kind and thankful, and always watch out for and support those in need. She felt that the most important thing to remember was to do your best with all that you have, love God first and family second.
Emma was involved in the school and community as a volunteer room mother and Girl Scout leader, but she wanted to do more. Although Emma had taught school before she was married and substitute taught after, she asked Eugene if she could seek more education after the children were in school. He agreed although he assured her that she need not work. She enrolled in the Rolla Technical Institutes LPN program and again graduated as Salutatorian at the age of 41. She immediately went to work for the Sullivan Community Hospital and found her favorite place to be the Emergency Room. She happily worked there for 25 years. She also assisted the first specialists that came to the hospital, and was proud when the administration asked for her advice when designing and setting up the new Emergency Room and Specialty Clinic.
Eugene and Emma were always very frugal. When Emma worked, Eugene was insistent that any money she made was not used for household expenses, but for things that brought her pleasure. It started with her buying bicycles for her younger brothers and continued by buying camping equipment and teaching her children how to camp. Emma’s four children had her first 8 grandchildren within the span of 3 years. Every summer, Emma would borrow all eight for one week and take them on a camping trip, usually to Eminence, MO. She had a tent for girls and another for boys, and usually took a daughter or two for help. This was truly a special time for the kids.
Eventually, four more grandchildren were born for a total of 12. She now also has 33 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.
Emma survived two types of breast cancer, stroke, deafness in one ear, blindness, and in 2016 she had one of the early successful TAVERS heart valve replacements. The final challenge was Lewy Body Dementia. Through it all she lived with purpose and dignity.
Emma was preceded in death by her husband Eugene Sr.; her parents Will and Nora Witt; her sisters Gertrude Finik, Pauline Woods, Francis Huston, Thelma Miller; and brother William Witt. She is survived by son Eugene Schuler, Jr. (Terrill); and daughters April Lannon (Michael), Mary Giles (Michael) and Juanita Schuler (Robert Carollo); sister Beulah Kesterson, and brother Otis Witt (Darlene).
Funeral Services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Temple Baptist Church in Sullivan, MO with Pastors Scott Perry and Josh Wright officiating. Interment will follow in I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Sullivan.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, October 21, 2022 at Temple Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions in Emma’s memory may be made to Temple Baptist Church Mission Fund, New Testament Baptist Church Mission Fund, or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.
Online condolences may be shared with Emma’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home of Sullivan.