Robert Joseph Kramer
September 16, 1935 – January 13, 2012

Robert Joseph "Joe" Kramer, 76 of Lancaster, Missouri passed away on Friday, January 13, 2012 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.

The son of Herbert Leroy and Goldie Bell (Bowen) Kramer, he was born on September 16, 1935 in rural Queen City, Missouri. He attended and graduated from the Queen City High School. Joe was drafted into the United States Army and served from 1958 to 1960 in Germany and received an honorable discharge after four years in the US Army Reserves.

He was united in marriage to Elaine Buster on July 12, 1957 in Queen City, Missouri and to this union 2 children were born, Mark and Shelby.

Joe is survived by his wife, Elaine of Lancaster, Missouri; 2 sons, Mark Kramer of Fort Worth, Texas and Shelby Kramer of Lancaster, Missouri; brothers and sisters, Loyal Kramer and wife, Barbara of Queen City, Missouri, Norma Mathes of Queen City, Missouri, Jerry Kramer of Lancaster, Missouri, Sharon Colton of Columbia, Missouri, Nancy Perry of Kirksville, Missouri and David Kramer of Lancaster, Missouri; nieces; nephews and other family members.

Preceding Joe in death were his parents; a granddaughter, Shannon Lee Kramer in 1999; two brothers, Leroy Kramer and Danny Kramer and one sister, Wanda Shaw.

Joe was a member of the Teamster Union for a number of years while employed with Greyhound Bus Lines, Churchill Trucking and ABF Trucking.

Joe was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, enjoyed hunting, playing pitch, fast pitch softball and sprint car and NASCAR racing.
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Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 16, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with Sonny Smyser, pastor of the Schuyler County Church of Faith in Lancaster, Missouri officiating. Music will be special CD selections of "Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good" and "Me and Jesus". Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral services from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri. Pallbearers will be Quinten Smyser, Don Hilliard, Orlan Ray, Manley Smyser, Bob Fremon, Donnie Crabtree and Lyle York. Honorary pallbearers are Jim McBee and Lala Prough. Memorials have been established for the Schuyler County Relay for Life, Brown-Steggall Ball Field or the Schuyler County Church of Faith. Burial will be in the Queen City Cemetery in Queen City, Missouri with military rites by the Scotland County VFW Post 4958. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.