Darrell Gene Schaper, 81, of Mineral Wells, Texas, formerly of Festus, died Sept. 9, 2019, in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Schaper was a retired electrician for Chrysler Auto Corp. and a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and was a member of the Disaster Team, and was a volunteer handyman willing to help anyone in need. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with his family, and got to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a cowboy when he moved to Texas in 2007 to raise calves and horses. Born April 13, 1938, in St Louis, he was the son of the late Charles and Josephine Schaper.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years: Myra Lucille (Peeks) Schaper; two sons: Jeffrey (Denise) Schaper of Alton, N.H., and Micheal Schaper of St. Louis; a brother: Clarence Schaper of Florida; four grandchildren: Darrell Charles Schaper, Heath Schaper, Molly
Schaper and Courtney McKalip; and a great-granddaughter, Emma McKalip.
He was preceded in death by two sons: James Schaper and Christopher Schaper; two brothers: Clarence Schaper and Vernon Schaper; and three sisters: Verna Mae Patrick, Doris Neiter and Sandra Boyer.
A funeral service was held Sept. 17 at Mahn Twin City Chapel in Festus, officiated by Pastor Matt Culbertson. Burial was in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, 660 South Euclid Ave, St Louis, 63110-1010. Arrangements were under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel.