Edward T. Stonebraker

Edward T. Stonebraker, of El Dorado Springs, passed away on May 26, 2012, at the age of 89. Ed was born on Feb. 13, 1923, to Morris E. and Mame Robbins Stonebraker in Overland, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis. He was the youngest of nine children, and the only one born outside of St. Charles.

At the time "Ned" was 7 years old, his maternal grandparents and two of his uncles passed away, all within eight months. Due to so many tragedies, the family returned to St. Charles to continue operation of the Robbins farm, which was located one mile outside of the city limits.

Ed enjoyed life on the farm and his primary education was in a one-room school house, just a mile walk away from home. He graduated from St. Charles High School in 1942. Immediately following his graduation, Ed enlisted in the Air Force, where he was stationed at the Main Air Force Aviation Repair Depot in England. He was discharged in Feb. 1946, with the rank of sergeant.

In 1947, Ed's career in banking began with the Boatmen's National Bank of St. Louis. He gained his education by taking night classes at St. Louis AIB School of Banking. Moving west across Missouri, he worked as the CEO of several banks. Ed's longest tenure was spent with Farmer's State Bank, Schell City, Mo., for 19 years, retiring in 1985. In 1988, Ed began his second career, as manager of Milster Funeral Home, in El Dorado Springs. His occupation continued for a decade, before his second retirement in 1998.

Ed was united in marriage to Elizabeth M. Sherman at All Saints Catholic Church in St. Peters, Mo., on Sept. 19, 1950, following a courtship of two years that included many romantic nights of dancing at the Casaloma Ballroom in St. Louis. To this union, nine children were born. Ed re-created his own family of origin that also consisted of seven sons and two daughters.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings; and one son, Peter C. Stonebraker. He is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth (Betty) of the home. Also survived by his children, Jerome Stonebraker, of Olathe, Kan., Fred Stonebraker, of Silverthorne, Colo., Laura Schuster and husband, Richard, of Nevada, Bill Stonebraker and wife, Cathy, of Sheldon, Mo., John Stonebraker, of Overland Park, Kan., Louise Ann Routledge and husband, Ron, of Brookfield, Mo., Timothy Stonebraker and wife, Stephanie, of Sun Prairie, Wis., and Edward Stonebraker Jr., and wife, Zury, of Harlingen, Texas; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

Ed will be remembered as a very loving and faithful husband, a good provider for his children, a respected community servant, and an extremely devoted Catholic man.

Visitation services will be held at Sheldon Funeral Home, El Dorado Springs, Mo., on Wednesday, May 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Thursday, May 31, at 9 a.m., officiated by the Rev. Tom Albers. Interment following the service at 3 p.m., at Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Charles, Mo., with celebrant Rev. Ron Routledge.

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to NRMC Hospice of Nevada Mo., in care of the Sheldon Funeral Home for the Edward T. Stonebraker Memorial Fund.