"Pickle Bill"

William H. “Bill” Schoen, 71, of Oak Ridge, passed away Friday, February 13, 2026, at Mercy Hospital Southeast in Cape Girardeau.

He was born November 22, 1954, in Cape Girardeau, to Vernon and Arlysse Lichtenegger Schoen. He was raised on the family farm near Oak Ridge, and had three siblings, Vernon G., Bruce, and Terry. As a young child, Bill loved his mom’s canned pickles – so much that his dad began to call him “Pickle Bill” - the name stuck, and his family still affectionately calls him “Pickle Bill”.

Bill attended elementary school in Oak Ridge. He was a graduate of the State Park School in Cape Girardeau. He was employed many years at VIP Industries in Fruitland and then worked at Erlbacher Gear in Cape Girardeau. He attended LaCroix Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. Other churches he attended included St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pocahontas, St. Mark Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, and Sargent’s Chapel Church near Sedgewickville.

Bill loved anything to do with the farm – helping with the cattle, driving tractors, gardening, and mowing. He loved dogs, and enjoyed driving his side by side and listening to music.

Loving survivors include two brothers, Bruce (Brenda) Schoen and Terry Schoen (Sharon Jones) of Oak Ridge; sister-in-law, Linda (late Vernon) Schoen of Oak Ridge; ten nephews and nieces; twenty-four great-nephews and nieces; four great-great nephews and nieces; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Arlysse; step-father, Kenneth Popp; a brother, Vernon G. Schoen; and two stepbrothers, Kevin Popp, and Wayne Popp.

A memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, February 20, 2026, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. Pastor Daniel Seabaugh will conduct the memorial service at 7 p.m.

If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests the East Perry Community Fair or Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial in Perryville.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by scrolling to the guestbook beneath this article.