Sheila Rena (Barks) Sauer

Sheila Rena Sauer, 52, of Jackson, passed away Saturday, May 15, 2021, at her home in Jackson.  Sheila valiantly fought cancer for nearly three years.

She was born July 13, 1968, in Cape Girardeau, to Jerry and Glenda Robinson Barks.  She and Dr. John L. Sauer were married July 31, 2004, at Mena, Arkansas.

Sheila was a graduate of Jackson High School and Southeast Missouri University, receiving a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Criminology.  She was a probation officer for Private Correctional Services and a Deputy Juvenile Officer before becoming the Drug Court Administrator for the 32nd Judicial Circuit.  She was a lifelong member of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson. 

Loving survivors include her husband, John L Sauer DDS of Jackson; three children, Logan (Garret) Light and their son Linkin of Biehle, Missouri, Paige Birk of Columbia, Missouri, John-Paul Sauer of the home; parents, Jerry and Glenda Barks of Jackson; one sibling Rebecca “Becky” (Gary) Peters of Jackson;  her mother-in-law, Beverly Sauer of Springfield, Missouri; sister-in-law, Kim Sauer Hightower DDS of San Diego, California; nieces and nephews, Audrey (Zac) Gendron and their son Sawyer of Jackson, Collin Peters (Maci McCuan) of Jackson; Chase (Emily) Hightower, MD of San Diego, Kendall, Seth, Lyndsey, and Jack Hightower, all of San Diego.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Robert and Dessie Robinson; paternal grandparents, Paul and Lucille Barks; two uncles, Scotty Barks and Rick Robinson, and an aunt, Gladys Whaley; father-in-law, Dr. Paul E. Sauer MD and wife Linda.  

Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at the South Campus of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson, and from 9:30 to 11 a.m., Thursday, May 20, 2021, at the church.

The funeral is at 11 a.m., Thursday, at the church with the Revs. Bryan Wendling and Jimmie Corbin officiating.  Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

At Sheila’s request, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to purchase a memorial bench in honor of Treatment Court.  If you choose to contribute to the memorial bench, please make checks payable to Rebecca Peters. 

Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com, navigating to Sheila’s personal obituary page, and clicking on the tribute wall tab above the obituary.

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