Sam Simler

Sam Simler, 87, passed away on August 12, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the devoted husband of Diana Simler for 58 years, proud father of Dana, Jennifer and Scott, and beloved “Papa” to Drew, Natalie, Reagan and Ben.

Sam was born on November 24, 1938, in Kirksville, Missouri, to Willie Daniel Simler and Beulah Florence (Hayes) Simler. He grew up in Kirksville alongside his siblings Wava Lea Howell, Bill Simler and Sandra Gramling, all of whom preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Diana; daughter Dana (Paul) Johnson; daughter Jennifer Simler (Mark Chilton); son Scott (Kelly) Simler; and grandchildren Drew Killmer, Natalie Johnson, Reagan Simler and Ben Simler.

Sam learned the value of hard work and responsibility remarkably young. At 16 years old, he began working at a local shoe store in Kirksville, helping fit customers for shoes and earning money to help provide for his family.

He graduated from Kirksville High School, later served in the United States Army and then went to Western Illinois University. Throughout his life, the determination and work ethic that developed during those early years stayed with him. Sam went on to become a successful businessman and entrepreneur. He understood business instinctively, yet compassion, fairness and relationships mattered deeply to him. Sam maintained an almost endless thirst for knowledge. He followed current events, wanted to understand new technology and remained fascinated by how quickly the world was changing.

He was a great listener and an enthusiastic champion of the people he loved. When Sam was talking with you, he had a way of making you feel as though you were the most important person in the room. Sam loved people. He never met a stranger. He could, and frequently did, strike up a conversation with a server, a salesperson or just about anyone who happened to cross his path.

People gravitated toward him. Sam was often the life of the party and arrived happy to see you, ready to talk, ready to laugh and ready to enjoy himself. If someone suggested going somewhere Sam's answer was likely to be, “Sounds good to me.”

And then there was his laugh.

Sam had one of those laughs people remembered. Big, joyful, contagious and unmistakably his, it often arrived before the story was even finished. His family can still hear the familiar “ta-hee-hee-hee,” and of all the little things they will miss, his laugh may be the hardest to imagine living without.

He also had a tremendous sweet tooth. There may not have been a dessert Sam didn't like, but ice cream held a special place. Trips to Fritz's meant a Turtle, complete with chocolate fudge and pecans. A Manhattan or margarita was welcome too, For him, the drink itself was rarely the point. The point was enjoying it with people he loved.

His Catholic faith became an important part of his life. For over 20 years, he and Diana attended St. Joseph Catholic Church most Sunday mornings. He was proud to serve as an usher and spent years helping people find their seats. He was also active in the Knights of Columbus, serving in leadership, and remained involved until his early 70s.

Retirement did not end Sam's desire to help other people succeed. Drawing on a lifetime of business experience, he volunteered as a mentor with SCORE, advising aspiring entrepreneurs on everything from an idea to a business plan. It was a fitting role for someone whose own entrepreneurial instincts began developing when he was still a boy.

For all that Sam accomplished, though, the roles that mattered most to him had nothing to do with business. He was Diana's husband, a dad and Papa.

Sam and Diana were married for 58 years and shared more than six decades together. His love and respect for her were unmistakable. She was his partner, and the love of his life. As a father, Sam was loving, involved, and proud. He wanted the people he loved to be secure, supported and able to build lives of their own. And then he became Papa. Whatever strictness his children remembered became considerably softer once grandchildren arrived. Drew, Natalie, Reagan and Ben were spoiled thoroughly and unapologetically. Family was, quite simply, where Sam was happiest.

He loved traveling and enjoyed talking about returning to places where he had once loved. He enjoyed projects, naps, good food and cocktails, current events and learning how things worked. He treasured his Wednesday breakfasts with his group of friends, returning to the same restaurant, the same table and the same server. But none of those things mattered to him as much as the people with whom he shared them.

Perhaps that is the thread running through Sam's entire life.

As a boy, he worked to help provide for his family. As a businessman, he built and created. As a mentor, he shared what he knew. As a man of faith, he served. As a husband, he stood beside

Diana for more than six decades. As a father, he provided and supported. As Papa, he spoiled. He was a friend to all, and he showed up. Wherever he went, he talked, listened, laughed and made room for one more person.

To know Sam was to be welcomed, asked questions, listened to, encouraged and probably made to laugh. It was to hear that unmistakable laugh of his and to know that he was genuinely happy you were there.

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Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24, at Baue Funeral Home, Cave Springs.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1355 Motherhead Road, Cottleville, Missouri 63304. Burial will follow at Baue Funeral Home, Cave Springs.

The family welcomes memorial donations to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in honor of Sam and his fellow Veterans. Donations may be made through the VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement using its online memorial donation program.