Reuben Kuschel (Veteran)

Reuben Frank Kuschel, 83, of Chamois, Missouri, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2011, at Harry S Truman VA Hospital, Columbia, Missouri. Mr. Kuschel was born in Chamois, Missouri on August 3, 1927, the son of the late Albert John and Armella L. (Leffman) Kuschel. He was the widower of Gerda (Sirelpuu) Kuschel. They were married September 11, 1948, at St. James U.C.C., Morrison, Missouri. He was a member of St. James United Church of Christ, Morrison, Missouri, where he was a Fellowship Crusader. He was also a member of Modern Woodman of America. He was active in scouting and he was known for his homemade minnow traps. He was a dairy farmer all of his life. He also worked for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineer and at Morrison Hardware & Lumber. Reuben proudly served in the U.S. Army during WWII, holding rank as a corpral. While serving. he was at the Daucha concentration camp, there he met his wife who was a displaced person. Their relationship grew over this time and he worked for two years to get her a Visa so she could come to the United States. They were married within 30 days of her arrival in the United States. Reuben is survived by four sons, Michael Kuschel and special friend Beth White of Westphalia, Missouri, David Kuschel and wife Sarah of Bunceton, Missouri, Karl Kuschel and wife Cheryl of Chamois and Kent Kuschel and wife Karen of Chamois; two daughters, Susan Heisler and husband Mike of Jefferson City, Missouri and Debby Gerloff and husband Leo of Chamois, Missouri; by his grandchildren, Jennifer Books, Doug and Rebecca Kuschel, Andrew, Jeffrey and Tyler Heisler, Katie Cunningham, Emily and Jon Kuschel, Leschia Shockley, Jessica Gerloff-Holloway, Andrea Gerloff, Danny, Nicole, Kurtis, Kyle and Klayton Kuschel; two step- grandchildren, Josh and Rachel White and an honorary grandchild, Liis Casey and 18 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a brother, Robert Kuschel; a granddaughter, Tonya Gerloff and great-granddaughter, Karra Brown. Funeral services will be held at St. James United Church of Christ, Morrison, Missouri at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 22, with Rev. Barb Zastrow officiating. Visitation will be Friday 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at St. James United Church of Christ, Morrison, Missouri. Burial will be at Good Hope Cemetery, Morrison, Missouri. Memorials may be given to St. James U.C.C. or Good Hope Cemetery. C/O Toedtmann-Grosse Funeral Home.