Bernard W Kluesner

Bernard William Kluesner, age 90, of Cape Girardeau, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at the Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

He was born October 30, 1935, in Oran, Missouri, the son of Joseph David and Anna Mae Marie (Reischman) Kluesner. Bernard married the love of his life, Dorothy M. Morie, on October 1, 1955, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson, beginning a devoted marriage of 70 years.

Bernard attended school in Oran and, throughout his life, continued to further his education through many vocational classes. He entered the United States Army 1956 and was honorably discharged from active and reserve service 1958. He worked for J.D. Street Barge Lines before beginning a long career as a mechanic with Missouri Utilities, later known as Ameren UE.

A devout Catholic, Bernard loved God first and then family. He was a teacher and role model to friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers alike. He taught his children, grandchildren, sons-in-law, nieces, nephews, and countless others how to pray, how to lean on faith, how to be patient, how to work hard, how to water ski, and how to fix just about anything. An excellent mechanic, Bernard was always eager to learn about the latest developments in engines. He built his home and barn, invented a vertical log splitter, and took great pride in his hobby farm. He was also a successful gardener and fisherman.

Bernard was widely known for his kindness, generosity, and big heart, especially toward those less fortunate. He regularly shared his garden produce with individual families and delivered food to the Southeast Missouri Food Bank.

He was a faithful member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, a member of the Bishop Timon Knights of Columbus Council 6405, the American Legion Post 158 in Jackson, and served his community as a Cape Girardeau County Election Judge.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 70 years, Dorothy Kluesner; three children, Denise (Tom) McDowell of Jackson, Linda (Mike) Haynes of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, and David (Adam Taloni) Kluesner of New York, New York; a son-in-law, Ron Hinkebein of Jackson; seven grandchildren, Brittney (Josh) Lee, Blair (Zach) Huckstep, Seth (Jenny) McDowell, Chelsea (William) Mpaka, Michael Haynes II and his fiancée Stephanie Branaugh, Zachary (Jordi) McDowell, and Lauren (Jacob) Billings; and great-grandchildren, Rhett and Asher Huckstep, Bryson Lee, Payton, Parker, Porter, Judah, and Truett McDowell, Ayla Brielle Mpaka, Lillie Billings, and a baby girl Billings expected in June 2026.

Also surviving are four sisters, Verneda Hopper, Mildred Kirchdoerfer, Ernestine Bueter, and Catherine Elfrink.

Bernard was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Hinkebein; his parents; three brothers, Eugene, Jerome, and J.C. Kluesner; and four sisters, Geneva Allen, Joanna Glueck, Rita Glueck, and Alberta Lundgren.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 5, 2026, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. Parish prayers will begin at 7:00 p.m., followed by the Rosary conducted by the Knights of Columbus.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Rev. Randy Tochtrop officiating.

Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Immaculate Conception Building Fund or the Southeast Missouri Food Bank.

The family extends a heartfelt gratitude to the nursing and support staff at Chateau Memory Care and St. Francis Hospice for their compassionate care of Bernard.

Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com and selecting the guestbook below Bernard’s obituary.