Loretta Ann Schneider of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2017, at the age of 81. She died as a result of complications from heart surgery after a long and courageous struggle.

Loretta�s survivors include a daughter, Ann Elizabeth (Stephen) Hamilton; three sons, Joseph Michael (Laurie) Schneider, John Arthur (Susan) Schneider and retired Lt. Col. James Christopher (Col. Beverly) Schneider; two sisters, Margaret Mary Kruse and Aurelia Fuerth; a brother, Michael Fuerth; and nine grandchildren, Samuel Joseph Schneider, George Kenneth Hamilton, Victoria Anderson Schneider, Samuel Fuerth Schneider, Julia Calhoun Schneider, Christopher James Schneider, Marissa Sue Schneider, August Cooley Schneider and Zoe Grace Schneider.

Loretta was preceded in death by her husband, John Edward Schneider; her parents, Dr. Arthur Lawrence and Corona Ann Fuerth; and two brothers.

Loretta loved the city of Cape Girardeau and devoted her adult life to service to the city and her church. Her goals were good government and good quality of life for the citizens of Cape Girardeau. Her loves were faith, family and community.

Loretta was the first woman to serve on the Cape Girardeau City Council, serving for 16 years as a council member and for two years as mayor pro-tem. She served on the Keep America Beautiful campaign, Keep Cape Beautiful Beautification Committee, Park Development Foundation, Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Council Ex-Officio, Cape Girardeau Partnership for Higher Education, Comprehensive Plan Oversight Committee, Public Facilities Authority Board, City Manager Search Committee, Bicentennial Committee, Solid Waste Task Force and Vision 2000 and Vision 2020 Committees.

Loretta was active in the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts, Friends of Saint Francis, State of Missouri Silver-Haired Legislature, Senior Tax Board and as a Cape Girardeau County election judge. Loretta was involved in the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce for over 30 years, Friends of Public Library, River Heritage Museum Association, Cape County Senior Tax Board and Citizens Emergency Response Team.

Loretta earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Southeast Missouri State University in 1972, her Master of Arts in Education from Southeast in 1976, and her Doctor of Philosophy (Education) from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1992.

Loretta and her late husband, John, were devoted members of the Old St. Vincent�s community, and Loretta was a member of the church council. Loretta and John were active members of the Restoration Committee of Historic Old St. Vincent�s Church and were very proud of their work to restore, beautify and preserve this Cape Girardeau landmark.

Loretta was a courageous conservative and avid Cardinals fan.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Old St. Vincent�s Church in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Allan Saunders officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary�s Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be given in Loretta�s honor to the John and Loretta Schneider Memorial Youth Sports Scholarship Fund at the Cape Parks and Recreation Foundation, 410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

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