Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

Amanda "Suzy" Leona Schoonmaker, 84, died on July 25, 2022. She was born in Litchfield, Ill., May 22, 1938, 10 minutes before twin brother Ted Chura. She grew up in Benld. At age 16, she moved to St. Louis, Mo., She graduated from Cleveland High School in 1956, received undergraduate from Washington University Phi Beta Kappa, and masters from UMSL. Suzy taught English, math, and choir at Woodlawn High School, math at Parkway South Jr. High and Lindbergh High School, then worked at McDonnell Douglas in Quality Productivity Improvement.

Survivors include two sons, Jim (Shari) Kassebaum of Indianapolis, Ind., and John (Kate) Kassebaum of Portland Ore.; two stepsons, Mike (Polly) Schoonmaker of Nixa, Mo., and Steve (Terry) Schoonmaker of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Nathan (Emily) Kassebaum of Indianapolis, Ind., and Jared (Annaliese) Kassebaum of Los Angeles, Calif., Clair (Dustin) Northcutt of Charlotte, N.C., and Eva Morris of Eugene, Ore.; step-grandchildren, Aaron (Julie) Schoonmaker of Raleigh, N.C., Jeff (Samantha) Schoonmaker of Middletown, Del., and Andrew (Doug) Schoonmaker of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Dana (Ethan) Horn of Nixa, Mo.; and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents, Adam and Leona (Anderson) Chura; late husband, Robert "Bob" N. Schoonmaker; and former husbands, Web Kassebaum and Ron Rau.

Suzy loved playing piano and for years with friend Tripp played two piano recitals in her home for friends. She and Tripp also square danced together over many years. Suzy loved to read and watch movies. She was a minor activist/liberal in her own way. Suzy also played duplicate bridge. She spent most of her free time doing genealogy for her family and others. Her biggest accomplishment was locating her father's birthplace and relations in Myscowa, Poland, and visiting there in 2001. She also traced her maternal grandfather's history back to 1600s Norway, and discovered her mother's first cousin was killed in the Bataan Death March in the Philippines during WWII. Suzy believed in paying it forward and contributed to many charitable organizations.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 11 a.m. at Kirkwood Baptist Church, 211 North Woodlawn Avenue, Kirkwood, MO 63122.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Red Cross, 10195 Corporate Square Dr., St. Louis, MO 63132; or the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, MSC 1066-153-118, St. Louis, MO 63130.