Carl A. Guenther

Carl A. Guenther, age 91, of Versailles, passed away Thursday night, May 16, 2019, at the Good Shepherd Care Center in Versailles.
He was born October 22, 1927, the eldest son of Reed H. and Fannie L. (Kidwell) Guenther.  Carl was a 1945 graduate of Versailles High School, where he was a charter member of the Future Farmers of America.  He was a World War II veteran, serving his country in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. George Clymer APA-27 during “Operation Crossroads” in the Marshall Islands.
On April 14, 1946, Carl was united in marriage to Virginia M. Archer in New Mexico; they enjoyed almost 70 years of marriage before Virginia’s death on February 17, 2016.
Carl was a 1951 graduate of the University of Missouri, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and honorary membership in the Alpha Zeta and Gamma Sigma Delta fraternities.   Following graduation he worked for one year for the University of Missouri Extension Service as Assistant County Agent in Daviess County.  He returned to the family farm in Versailles in 1952, where he enjoyed raising and feeding Hereford cattle; receiving a Century Farm designation by the State of Missouri in 2004. Also in 1952,  he was appointed as a substitute Rural Letter Carrier for the Versailles Post Office and served in that capacity on all routes under four rural carriers until 1970 when he received a permanent appointment as a Regular Rural Letter Carrier on Route Two; where he served until his retirement in 1992, with 42 years of government service.
Carl was a lifelong member of the Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Versailles, serving as Deacon and Elder.  He was a member of American Legion Post 104 in Versailles, a former member of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association and a charter member of the Morgan County Farm Bureau.  He was former member of the Versailles Lions Club, serving as president in 1964, served as Treasurer of the Morgan County Fair Board for many years and served nine years on the Morgan County R-II school board.  He was a member of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association for more than 60 years and a dedicated member of the National Rifle Association.
When he wasn’t on the family farm, he enjoyed being outdoors hunting and camping with family and friends.  He and Virginia loved to travel, seeing almost all 50 states and some of Europe and Australia. They enjoyed square dancing and canoeing. He looked forward to summers with his family at the cabin on the lake, where they could go boating, swim and water-ski.  Most of all he cherished the time he spent with Virginia, his kids and grandkids; his family was his greatest priority and it showed in everything he did.
Survivors include his five children, David Niebergall and wife Susie of Malibu, California; Cathy Wittrock and husband Roger of Eureka, Missouri; William Guenther and wife Dee of O’Fallon, Missouri; Patricia Wittrock and husband Jim of Henley, Missouri and Reed Guenther and wife Berenice of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; one brother Ben Guenther of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; eleven grandchildren, Jennifer Munro and husband Phil, Cristen Wittrock, Ben Guenther and wife Fayeza, Lindsay, Shannon and Kelly Teeple, Rachael Guenther, Jaden and Caleb Guenther and Brooke and J.J. Niebergall, two great grandsons, Euan and Tate Munro, along with other relatives and many friends.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 23, at the Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Versailles, Missouri with Rev. Brenda Holder officiating.  Interment, with military funeral honors, will be in the West Lawn Addition of the Versailles Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church on Thursday.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Westminster United Presbyterian Church or the Versailles Cemetery Association.

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Visitation Westminister Presbyterian Church Thursday, May 23, 2019 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 208 North Fisher
Versailles, MO 65084 Directions Funeral Service Westminister Presbyterian Church Thursday, May 23, 2019 11:00 AM 208 North Fisher
Versailles, MO 65084 Directions Interment with military funeral honors West Lawn Addition of Versailles Cemetery Thursday, May 23, 2019 11:45 AM 403 Clay Road
Versailles, MO 65084 Directions