Norman Harold Pooker, 70, Festus

Norman Harold Pooker, 70, of Festus died Jan. 10, 2023, at his home. Mr. Pooker was a baptized and confirmed member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro where he served on the church council and was active in the Men’s Fellowship and choir. He graduated from the University of Missouri in Rolla in civil engineering. He was a partner and later sole owner of the family excavating business, Pooker Excavating and Grading LLC. He enjoyed hunting, farming, working on model trains and traveling with his family. Born Aug. 10, 1952, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Edna (Steinbach) and Harold Cornelius Pooker.

He is survived by his wife: Lois (Niemann) Pooker; a daughter: Rebecca Pooker of Hillsboro; three sisters: Bernice (the late Robert) Nissen, Evelyn Brassie and Janice (David) Koopman; three sisters-in-law: Carolyn (Randy) Stevens, Sharon (Bart) Stevens and Loraine (Roger) Saffer; and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by a son: Matthew J. Pooker; and his mother-in-law: Eunice E. Niemann.

Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. until a funeral service at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at Zion Lutheran Church, 9700 Zion Lutheran Church Road, in Hillsboro, officiated by pastors Greg Barto and Dennis Lucero. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Hillsboro. Memorials may be made to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch of Minot, N.D., or Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.