Paul William Essner

Paul Essner, son of the late Leo Essner and Rosa (Urhahn) Essner was born on June 4, 1936 in Benton, Missouri and departed his life on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at the St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri at the age of 88 years.

He was a life long farmer and was employed and retired as an equipment operator at Lone Star Industries in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Mr. Essner was a United States Veteran of the National Guard, member of the St. Lawrence Catholic Church, St. Joseph Sodality in New Hamburg, and Knights of Columbus.

On April 19, 1958 he was united in marriage to Geneva Seyer in New Hamburg.  Mrs. Essner preceded him in death on May 1, 2015.

Survivors include five sons, Gerard (Carolyn) Essner of Chaffee, Ronnie (Laura) Essner, Curtis (Cheryl) Essner, Jeffrey (Gina) Essner all of Benton, and Jamie (Emily) Essner of Commerce; three daughters, Theresa Essner of Benton, Sheila  Harper of Benton, and Melissa (Justin) Sullivan of Chaffee; nineteen grandchildren, Ashley (Kerry Wayne) Lasters, Zachary (Jacklyn) Essner, Abby (Dawson) Mayo, Ryan (Emily) Essner, Lance Essner, Ross (Mackenzie) Essner, Seth Essner, Matthew Harper, Whitney Harper, Christian Essner, Camden Essner, Carson Essner, Ashley (Cody) Kight, Austin Sullivan, Nathanael Sullivan, Nicholas Sullivan, Jenna Essner, Gwendolyn Essner, and Bennett Essner; eight great-grandchildren, Kinley Lasters, Cole Lasters, Tate Essner, Maggie Essner, Leo Essner, Braelyn Kight, Cayden Warren, and Lainey Essner; also by a host of relatives and friends.

Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by one, son-in-law, Ricky Harper, one granddaughter, Kelsi Essner and by four brothers, Vincent, Simon, John, and Herman Essner.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the St. Lawrence Parish Center with parish prayers at 4:00 PM and Knights of Columbus service to follow.  Funeral mass will be conducted on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM in the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg with Father Daniel Belken and Mnsg Normand Varone officiating.  Interment will follow in the St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery.