Gilbert Joseph Schanzmeyer

Gilbert Joseph "Bert" Schanzmeyer, 89, of Jefferson City, died Friday October 17, 2014, at home surrounded by his family. He was born on February 27, 1925 in Meta, MO, the son of the late Henry J. and Theresia (Massman) Schanzmeyer. Bert was united in marriage on August 4, 1951 in Meta, MO to Helen Woody, who still survives. After Bert graduated as class valedictorian from Meta High School in 1943 he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He served two years during World War II as a 2nd lieutenant and pilot of the B-25 Mitchel. Bert received his honorable discharge with the rank of major in the USAF Reserves. After the war, along with his father and brothers Bert founded Schanzmeyer Chevrolet in Meta and Owensville. In 1963, the brothers moved to Jefferson City and started Schanzmeyer Ford-Lincoln-Mercury. Schanzmeyer Ford was Missouri's largest full-line Ford dealership and was honored to be one of the top ten dealerships in the United States. After retiring from the automobile business in 1975, the brothers became the owners and developers of the deVille Apartments. Bert graduated from the Institute of Real Estate Management for both residential and commercial properties with a GRI designation and held a Missouri Real Estate Broker license. Bert served on the St Mary's Health Center Foundation Board of Directors from 2005-2013. He was a member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph, American Legion Post 5, Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree and St Mary's Health Center Mended Hearts. He was an Accredited Visitor visiting heart patients at St Mary's and also a past president. In addition to his wife, Bert is survived by four children and spouses: Ruth and Bill Stanton, Ponder, TX; Ross and Linda Schanzmeyer, Jefferson City; Colette Tellman, Jefferson City; and Joseph and Cynthia Schanzmeyer, Osage Beach. 10 grandchildren: William Stanton, Patrick Stanton, Jennifer (George) Tergin, Ryan (Johnna) Schanzmeyer, Brooke (Sam) Wallace, Erin (Mike) Kliethermes, Vanessa (Eric) Stuckenschneider, Amanda (Gabe) Keilholz, Tyler (Maggie) Schanzmeyer and Aaron Schanzmeyer; 9 step-grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 15 step-great-grandchildren and one brother and sister-in-law, Bernard and Jean Schanzmeyer, Jefferson City. Bert was preceded in death by one son, Paul Schanzmeyer; brothers, Joseph, Arthur, Patrick and Henry "Hank"; sisters, Beatrice Kroll, Marie Schanzmeyer and Imelda Scheppers and son-in-law, Edwin "Eddie" Tellman. Bert loved to play the fiddle and in his younger years played with a band for wedding and picnic dances. Family time was very important to him. He built a second home at the Lake of the Ozarks when his children were small where many weekends were spent in the summer fishing, boating and water skiing. As his children married and started their own families, there was always a place for us all to gather and enjoy the water. He was a loving husband and father, a kind, giving and honorable man. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with the Rev. Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki officiating. Burial with military honors will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Cecelia Cemetery in Meta, MO. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Mended Hearts, Chapter 204 or St. Joseph Cathedral Foundation. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.