Arthur Henry Schuster, Jr

Arthur Henry Schuster, Jr., 82, of Pilot Grove, Missouri passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at Katy Manor in Pilot Grove. He was one of 4 children born to Arthur Henry and Christine Barbara (Pletschette) Schuster, Sr., in Pilot Grove.Art began a life of surviving more hardships than normal as his mother passed away when he was just over three years old. He graduated from Pilot Grove High School in 1952 and began farming with his uncle, Leonard Bindner, in Marcus, Iowa. He was drafted in 1957 into the Army and a member of the 82nd Airborne. In 1958 Arthur made his final night jump, and his parachutes failed to deploy. He and his finger rosary landed in a foot of sand. His back and both ankles were broken, and he was told he would never walk again, never have children, and his life expectancy was about 15 years. With an exceptionally strong faith, will, and self-discipline, the doctors were proven wrong, as he was walking within 3 months. He married Marita June on June 13, 1959, and they were blessed with five children.Art and Marita raised their family in Pilot Grove where he farmed all the rest of his days. Arthur served his community in many ways including the Pilot Grove Co-op Board of Directors, Pilot Grove School Board, member of MO Pork Producers, Pilot Grove MFA Exchange, MFA Oil Delegate and Rural Fire Board.

While Art was in rehabilitation after the accident, he learned to crochet rugs, which he continued as a hobby. In addition to his service to the community, he and Marita fostered over 20 children in their home throughout the years.He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Marita; and brother Paul Schuster.
Art is survived by sons Joseph Schuster of Kansas City, Missouri; John Schuster and his wife Rita of Pilot Grove; David Schuster and his wife Erin of Yankton, South Dakota; daughters Christine Moya and her husband Mike of Austin, Texas; Elizabeth Lorang and her husband Tim of St. Martins, Missouri; brothers Charles Schuster of Columbia and Jim Schuster and his wife Mary Jane of Dallas, Texas; sisters Mary Novotny and her husband Fred of Arvada, Colorado and Milly Rapp and her husband Ralph of Boonville; 18 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 A.M. Monday, June 19, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pilot Grove with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-6 P.M. Sunday at St. Joseph with the Rosary at 4:00 P.M.

The family suggest memorial contributions be sent to:

Arthur Schuster Jr Memorial Fund

Conception Abbey

37174 State Hwy VV

Conception, MO 64333

Online condolences may be submitted at www.meisenheimerfuneralhome.com.