Gene Earl Schuessler, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, April 18, 2022, at his home.

He was born Aug. 9, 1940, in Altenburg, Missouri, to Bernhardt and Nelda Heartling Schuessler. He and Dorothy L. Schuessler were married June 22, 1958, at Zion Lutheran Church in Crosstown, Missouri.

He received a degree from Perryville (Missouri) High School in 1958.

Gene and Dorothy Schuessler were the owners and operators of Advanced Pest Control, which originated in 1980.

He received advanced training from Purdue University and wrote his own training program.

Gene was named 2012 Man of the Year by the Missouri Pest Control Association and was in the Missouri Pest Control Management Association Hall of Fame.

He was a charter member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel. He was a former Jaycees member and an Optimist softball coach for 18 years. Gene played in many slow pitch games and in the Altenburg Baseball League.

He had been a resident of Cape Girardeau for over 61 years. He was very proud of his yellow Corvette, and loved working in the yard, especially with flowers.

Survivors include a son, Gary (Penny) Schuessler; three daughters, DeBorah (Chris) Gross, Dawn (Tim) Altenthal and Deanna Niederkorn; brother, Richard (Marge) Schuessler; 10 grandchildren, Dustin (Kendra) Gross, Cassie (Ed) Myers, Kyle (Tina) Schuessler, Courtney (Trey) Palish, Caleb (Natalie) Niederkorn, Katie (Rob) Mitchell, Seth (Karlee Beggs) Niederkorn, Tyler Altenthal, Jacob (Mistie) Ressel and Megan (Ben) Sample; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sister, Darlene Franke; sister-in-law, Betty Schuessler; and son-in-law, John Niederkorn.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel in Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Weston Wildauer officiating. Burial will be at Point Rest in Menfro, Missouri.

Memorial contributions may be given to Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel, Shiners, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or MPMA Pac Fund.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.