Gerald William Seiler

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Gerald William Seiler, 62, of Leopold died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, at his home. He was born Feb. 1, 1953, the son of Herman and Helen Matilda Brauer Seiler.

He graduated in 1971 from Leopold High School, where he was an avid basketball player. After graduation, he was employed at Florsheim Shoe Co.

In 1978, he graduated from the Kansas City Electronic Institute. He worked as a radio technician in Missoula, Montana, and Nashville, Tennessee, during the 1980s.

He and Lita Hutchinson were married Nov. 10, 1984, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Glennon, Missouri.

He lived a very challenging life as a paraplegic for 42 years following an auto accident. He enjoyed music, working on cars and traveling. He will be remembered as being strong-willed, with a free spirit and a gentle soul.

He is survived by a brother, Alvin Seiler, of Cape Girardeau; two sisters, Bernice (Lucky) Schatte of Oran, Missouri, and Eleanor (Gerard) Macke of Leopold; his former wife, Lita, of Kansas City; a close friend, Earl Hutchison of South Carolina; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at St. John Catholic Church at Leopold.

A Mass of Christian burial will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday, with the Rev. William Hennecke officiating.

Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery.

Hutchings Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.