Cletus Essner

Cletus Zeno Essner, 98 of Kelso, Missouri died Monday, February 24, 2025 at his home. He was born April 3, 1926 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Louis and Leona Scherer Essner. He married Stella Stone on January 29, 1948 and she preceded him in death January 25, 2013. 

He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

He is survived by a daughter, Dorothy (Melvin) DeBrock of Kelso; a brother, Eugene Essner of Manasses, Virginia; three grandchildren, Courtney (Adam) Hilse, Justin (Ashley) Gentry and Adam Gentry and six great grandchildren, Kyndahl and Kaelyn Hilse, Dayton & Makenna Gentry and Dawson & Briar Gentry.

He was also preceded in death by a son, Robert “Bob” Essner; three brothers, Bill, Paul and Theon Essner; two sisters, Georgianna Essner and Mary Kathrine Mills and twin grandsons, Travis Steven and Shannon Paul Gentry. 

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm on Wednesday at the Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel. Parish prayers will be at 6:30 pm.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am on Thursday at the St. Augustine Catholic Church with Rev. Tom Wilk officiating. 

Burial will be in St. Augustine Cemetery.