Ray Constantine Schonhoff Jr

Ray C. Schonhoff, Jr., age 73 of Des Arc, Arkansas, formerly of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, passed away Friday, February 24, 2017 at Des Arc Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Des Arc, Arkansas.

He was born June 23, 1943, in Cape Girardeau, MO, son of Raymond C., and Alma Stoll Schonhoff. Ray married Maxine Hopson on May 16, 1997, she survives of the home.

He grew up on the Schonhoff Dairy Farm. Although now part of the city of Cape Girardeau, the dairy farm had been a part of rural Cape Girardeau County, existing just to the west of the city of Cape Girardeau. “Sonny” grew up working on the dairy, where he “hopped” bottles and did general farm chores.

He was a graduate of St. Mary’s Grade School and Cape Central High School. For the better part of his adult life, Ray was a self-employed contractor working many years in the Cape Girardeau, and Van Buren, MO, and Stuttgart, Arkansas areas.

Ray was a member of Elks Lodge #639 and V.F.W. Post #3838 of Cape Girardeau, MO. He was an avid hunter and fisherman with memberships to Ducks Unlimited, and other organizations that supported wildlife conservation.

Loving survivors include three daughters and five grandchildren; Amy Schonhoff Baker and Jessica and Hunter Baker of Cape Girardeau, MO; Erica (Jack) Griffin and Tyler, Zachary, and Katie of Van Buren, MO; and Amanda Keller of California; one brother Stephen (Beverly) of Oak Ridge, MO, and one sister Mary Ellen (Franklin) of Las Cruces, New Mexico; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters Patricia and Lucille.

In memory of Ray, you may make a personal donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Services and burial will be private.

Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Sheridan. www.buiefuneralhome.com.