Omer Seiler

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Omer James Seiler, 80, of Marble Hill transitioned from earthly life into the heavenly one at 3:15 a.m. Friday, May 22, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau while surrounded by his family.

Mr. Seiler was born Feb. 27, 1935, in Leopold, Missouri, to John and Helen Holzum Seiler. He married the love of his life, Christena Marie Sobba, on June 23, 1956, at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran, Missouri.

Mr. Seiler loved to learn, and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic High School (Notre Dame) in 1953. After completing high school, he was employed by Elfrink Truck lines for a short time, before beginning his career as a carpenter in the St. Louis area. Omer and Marie resided in St. Louis before moving back to the family farm and operated the farm and his construction company, Omer Seiler Construction, until his retirement from carpentry in 2002. During that time, he built many homes for area families, and his legacy can be seen not only in his family, but on most any road in and around Bollinger County. He continued to work on the farm with cattle until shortly before his death.

Mr. Seiler enjoyed farming, family and, later in life, really enjoyed catching a nice stringer of bluegill.

Omer was widely known as a man who let his actions speak louder than his words. He was a devout Catholic and a member of St. John's Catholic Church and a charter and fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus St. Isidore Council 5898 of Leopold. The Knights of Columbus was very dear to him, as he served on the KC Home Association and with his wife, Marie, helped cook many meals for weddings and fundraisers throughout the years. He served on several executive boards throughout his life, including the Leopold School Board, St. John's Church Parish Council, Missouri Pork Producers and Farm Bureau.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marie, and five children, Sharon (Roy) Van de ven, Steve (Edna) Seiler, Stan (Carol Ann) Seiler, Scott (Ashley) Seiler and Sandy (Rod) Davis. Omer and Marie also have 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He also is survived by two sisters, Ethel (Glen) Thiele and Esther (Glen) Jansen; and a sister-in-law, Helen (Orval) Seiler.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Orval; his sister, Edith Seiler; and infant son, Shawn.

Visitation for Omer will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at St. John's Catholic Church in Leopold. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m., with rosary led by the Knights of Columbus following parish prayers.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in St. John's Catholic cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Leopold School Foundation.