Spirel "Ed" Edwin Thompson

Spirel Edwin Thompson of Piedmont, MO, passed away on March 26, 2022, at the age of 92. He was the son of Spirel and Cleo (Fry) Thompson of Mill Spring, MO.

He was born in Saint Louis, MO on March 20, 1930. He grew up in Mill Spring, MO and attended the Mill Spring School for eight years. He attended his first year of high school at the two-year high school in Leeper, MO. He transferred to Piedmont High School for his sophomore year and graduated from the Piedmont High School in May 1947.

He worked in a Saint Louis Electrical Supply Company four years before being drafted into the U.S. Army October 1951 and served two years at stations in California and Alaska. He was released from active duty in September 1953.

He re-enlisted in the U.S.Army in April 1954 for three years and served at stations in North Carolina and Alaska. He ended his service with the U.S. Army early to attend a University in Oklahoma.

While at Oklahoma Baptist University, he met and married Cecile Van Buren on June 10, 1960. They were married 61 years.

He served the Clearwater School system for 31 years including being the High School Principal and the Elementary School Principal. He also served as a classroom teacher at various times.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Spiral and Cleo (Fry) Thompson in early fall of 1974. Others preceding him in death were three sisters, Doris Hassel, Laveta Garrett, and Shirley Thompson. Two brothers Elroy Thompson and Gene Thompson also preceded him in death.

Family members left to mourn are his wife, Cecile Thompson, of the home; daughters: Eva Susanne (Thompson) Schelander and husband Mats of Stockholm, Sweden, Theresa Lee(Lewis) Orr and husband Michael Duane Orr of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, grandchildren: Lily Schelander, Logan Schelander, Mary Katelyn Massey and husband Bryson, Eryn Leigh Tripod of Fayetteville, Arkansas; great­ granddaughter: Ainsley Mae Massey of Paragould, Arkansas; brothers: Elvin Thompson of Patterson, Missouri, Dale Thompson of Steelville, Missouri, and a host of other family relatives and friends.

Visitation was held at 5:00 pm, Saturday, April 2, 2022, at Ruegg Funeral Home, Piedmont Chapel. Funeral service was held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, April 3, 2022, also in the Piedmont Chapel. Dr. Rick Haggett ministered to the family. Pastor Alan Conner read the obituary. Daughters, Susanne Schelander and Theresa Orr gave a heartfelt eulogy. Music was provided by Mason German, Jerry Van Buren, and Jeff Parker. Pianist was Sara Edgy. Bryson Massey, Charles Adams, Michael Orr, Andrew Thompson, Travis Hanger, Jaron McMurry, and Jason McMurry served as pallbearers. Burial followed in Carson Hill Cemetery, Mill Spring with full military honors provided by the United States Army and American Legion Post 281 of Piedmont. Online condolences can be made at www.rueggfuneralhomes.com

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