Gary Lee Schnirch

Gary Lee Schnirch came into this world October 3, 1948, in Kansas City, Kansas, one of three sons born to Victor August and Violet Lee Nolting Schnirch.  He was baptized October 26, 1948, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stover and confirmed June 6, 1965, at the Christ Lutheran Church in Stover.

Gary grew up in the Stover community on the Schnirch farm north of Stover.  Before completing high school, he enlisted in the US Navy, where he served his country during the Vietnam War.

After returning to the Stover, he spied a pretty waitress working at a local restaurant west of Versailles and before long that chance meeting turned into romance.  On November 24, 1971, Gary was united in marriage to Barbara Witte at the St. Paul Lutheran Church and for the next 49 years they have enjoyed raising three children and welcoming grandchildren and great grandchildren into their family.

Gary was employed with Ralston-Purina, working at their hatcheries in Cole Camp and Stover. When Ralston-Purina sold to Cargill, Gary remained with the company, retiring from their California hatchery after many years of employment.

Gary never lost his love of being outdoors, he looked forward to spending time golfing, mowing, fishing and the annual Schnirch family deer camp outing in the fall of the year.  Tinkering was a hobby, and it did not matter what needed to be fixed, he was always up for the challenge.  He was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, despite some questionable managerial decisions.  For he and Barb’s 40th wedding anniversary he was able to check an item off his bucket list, a trip to Hawaii to see the USS Missouri, sharing that invisible bond with his fellow Navy veterans.

Gary never met a stranger and was always ready to share a story or lend a hand.  His greatest enjoyment came from being with those he loved, especially his grandchildren.

It had been just over two weeks since Gary received his diagnosis of cancer and it was on Tuesday night, June 8, 2021, at St. Marys Health Center in Jefferson City that Gary received the promise of eternal life.

In addition to his wife Barbara, Gary is survived by three children and their spouses, Eric Schnirch of Stover; Jared and Tracy Schnirch  of Stover and Carrie and Matt Brown of Effingham, Illinois;  a brother and sister-in-law John and Jeri Schnirch of Lima, Ohio; a sister, Peggy Schnirch of Versailles; his mother-in-law, Verna Witte of Stover; fourteen grandchildren, Donovan, Brandon, Carol, Erica, Zach, Micayla, Austina, Justice, Olivia, Johnny, Lori, Palmer, Truman and Watson, eight great grandchildren (with two more due this year) along with several nieces, nephews, other relative and many friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Larry Victor Schnirch and Leon Berkstresser.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Saturday, June 12, at the Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home in Stover with a Prayer Service beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 13, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Stover with Pastor Gerald Kurka officiating.  Burial, with military funeral honors will be in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Stover.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Schnirch Family % Barbara Schnirch for medical expenses or St. Paul Lutheran Church.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Gary Lee Schnirch, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Schnirch family % Barbara Schnirch for medical expenses or St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Schnirch family % Barbara Schnirch for medical expenses or St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Saturday, June 12, 2021 5:00 PM

Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home-Stover 204 W. 3rd St. Stover, Missouri 65078

Saturday, June 12, 2021 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Home-Stover 204 W. 3rd St. Stover, Missouri 65078

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Schnirch family % Barbara Schnirch for medical expenses or St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Sunday, June 13, 2021 2:00 PM

St. Paul's Lutheran Church- Stover 407 E Third St Stover, mo 65078