Burnell Martin Bahr

Burnell M. "Bill" Bahr passed away March 22, 2015 at Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla, Missouri. He was eighty-seven years old.

Bill was born on May 16, 1927 in St. Genevieve, Missouri to Martin and Anna (Bader) Bahr. Bill grew up in Chaffee, Missouri living with his Uncle Otto and Aunt Dora (Bader) Vessell. In January of 1945, Bill left his senior class early and joined the Navy. He served as a pharmacist's mate and was stationed in Iwo Jima. On May 14, 1949, he united in marriage to Bertha Ann Wulfers of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. From this union five sons and one daughter were born.

Bill, Bert, and three sons moved to Rolla in 1952 and opened a retail furniture store. In the sixties, Bill and his cousin, Clyde Vessel, moved Vessel and Bahr Furniture to the corner of Sixth and Kingshighway in Rolla.

Bill's life reflected many interests. Along with forty years of retail furniture sales and other businesses, Bill was a farmer and introduced Simmental cattle, as well as, "thornless" blackberries to the area. His civic duties included Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus and he served proudly on the Phelps County Regional Medical Center Hospital Board for several terms. While all of these interests were important, nothing was more important to Bill than his family.

Survivors include his wife, Bert, five sons: Tony (Susan) Bahr of Rolla, Tom (Mary) Bahr of Rolla, John (Chris) Bahr of Washington, MO, Jerry (Denise) Bahr of Rolla, Bill (Anna Lytia) Bahr of Rolla, and one daughter, Connie (Jeff) Grisham of Rolla. Eighteen grandchildren: Joe (Jeana) Bahr of St. James, MO, Kim (Rodney) Kestle of Rolla, Sarah (Shad) Becker of Rolla, Cathy (Isaac) Breuer of Columbia, MO, Jane (Bill) O'Connor of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Wendy (Jimmy) Zumwalt of Belle, MO, John (Liz) Bahr of Dallas, TX, Charlie (Crystal) Bahr of Kansas City, MO, Drew Bahr of Rolla, Jay (Jennifer) Bahr of Rolla, Travis (Mandy) Bahr of Rolla, Terry (Angela) Bahr of Washington, MO, Ben (Traci) Bahr of St. James, MO, Jared (Melissa) Bahr of Kansas City, MO, Candice McIntyre of Rolla, Jennifer McIntyre of Columbia, MO, Casey Grisham of Rolla, and Lindsey Grisham of Rolla. Thirty two great-grandchildren with the thirty third to be born in August.

Bill was preceded in death by, his parents, three brothers, two sisters, and grandson, Matthew Martin Bahr.

Services for Burnell "Bill" Bahr will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Rolla. The rosary will begin at 9 a.m. with a visitation to follow from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the Northex of the church. Funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. with Fr. Charles Pardee officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Phelps County Regional Medical Center or St. Patrick's Catholic Parrish/School.

Funeral services under the direction of Sassmann's Chapel of Belle, Missouri and Rolla Cremation and Memorial.