Leola Marie (Pethan) Schler

Leola Marie Schler, 94, of Boonville passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Columbia Post Acute surrounded by family. She was born on August 4, 1931, at Lone Elm, Missouri, the daughter of Oscar and Nellie (Sinclair) Pethan and attended Zion Lutheran School. She was a 1949 Graduate of Bunceton High School.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025, at Howard Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at St. Johns United Church of Christ Billingsville. Interment will follow at the church cemetery.

On September 3, 1950, she married Charles Edward Schler at Billingsville, Missouri and they are the parents of five children.

She was employed at Trout’s Bakery for one year as a retail clerk then became a dental assistant to Dr. John F. Jonas for two years. She then became a stay-at-home mom for fifteen years, until her children were all in school. Then she returned to the dental office for thirteen years. She then became a secretary to Boonville Housing Authority for 22 years until her retirement in 2002. She also helped on the Schler Family Farm.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Schler; her parents Oscar and Nellie Pethan; stepfather Henry Hein; her sister Alvena Borgmann and brother -in-law Richard Borgmann; two sons-in-law Robert “Bob” Simmons and Kent Kammerich; step-grandson Andrew Helmreich; and numerous other brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

She is survived by her children: Ed (Lynndora) Schler, Mike (Peggy) Schler, Linda (Donnie) Helmreich, Terry (Linda) Schler, Donna Kammerich. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Jamie (Shawn) Swalwell, Cindy (Jason) Vogel, Mindy (Martin) Becker, Kevin (Heather) Simmons, Derek (Stephany) Schler, Lisa (Cedric) Alvis, Cayley (Andrew) Inskeep, Kendall Schler, Noel Schler (Zach Bradley), Megan (Christian) Kosnopfal, Lauren Helmreich; thirteen great-grandchildren plus one on the way; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  

Leola enjoyed playing Rummikub and was very good at it. She also enjoyed playing pitch. She loved to go dancing with her husband and they attended many senior dances at Marshall, Bunceton, Sedalia and California. Leola loved being around family and friends for all occasions including birthdays, weddings, Christmas, Easter and reunions. She enjoyed reminiscing.

One of the family favorites was the Sunday luncheons she cooked for family and others if they stopped by.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the St. John’s United Church of Christ Billingsville and the cemetery fund.

Arrangements are under the direction of Howard-Millard Funeral Home, 1397 Ashley Rd., Boonville, Mo 65233 (660) 882-3381. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.howardfh.com.

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