Gary J. Eisenhart

Gary J. Eisenhart, 83, of St. Charles, MO passed from this earth peacefully on January 26th.   

Gary was the son of Viola and Joseph Eisenhart, arriving on December 2nd, 1939, sharing his birthday with his dad. Gary had two siblings, Gail “Pink” Eisenhart and Jim Eisenhart. He attended St. Catherine of Alexandria Grade School and Laboure High School, class of 1957. It was there he met his best friend, Ken Behlmann, who introduced Gary to his sister Pat. On January 6, 1962 he tied the knot with her, the love of his life, at Sacred Heart Church in Florissant in the middle of a snow storm.  

Gary received his accounting degree from the University of Missouri. He began work at McDonnell Douglas, after completing his military service in the artillery division of the Army.  Gary worked in various areas of “Mac” including the missile division, small business and international programs. He retired after 39 years. Gary valued hard work and held down multiple extra jobs during his career including time at Larry’s Men Shop where he made many lifetime friends. Gary took up real estate later in life, working with a great team at Coldwell Banker Realty-Gundaker, helping many family and new friends to find the perfect home.  

Anyone who knew Gary knew his greatest source of pride was his wife and family. He attended all of his family’s games, activities, graduations, and award ceremonies. His next two great loves were the St. Louis Cardinals and Missouri Tigers. Gary’s Cardinal bobblehead collection is legendary.  He rarely missed a Mizzou basketball game on TV or football game in Columbia, spending many Saturdays tailgating with his kids and grandkids, rooting on his favorite team. Gary also enjoyed fishing, turkey hunting, building puzzles, playing cards and framing pictures.  Gary never met a stranger and would spark up a conversation and chat with anyone he met. He also greatly loved his time in Naples, Florida, where he and Pat spent 18 years with their second “family” of friends at Royal Bay Villas. Gary was a man of great faith, who lectored at his church, volunteered for the St. Vincent De Paul Society, served as PTA president at St. Mary’s High School and volunteered in his daughter’s classroom, grading papers for her kids. If help was needed, Gary was there.  

Gary is survived by his wife of 61 years Patricia, their four children Cheryl (Doug) Ely, Lisa (Joel) Alexander, Steve Eisenhart, Jeff (Maggie) Eisenhart, grandchildren Jared (Kate) Alexander, Jennifer Alexander, Lauren Alexander, Sarah (Andy) Kiehl, Lydia (Pete) Fairbanks, Matt (Zeyry) Ely, Bella Eisenhart, and great-grandchildren, Carter and Leah Alexander, Isak and Lotte Fairbanks, Esther Kiehl and the impending arrival of baby Ely as well as his siblings, many in-laws, nieces, nephews and family members. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Harmony House in Springfield, Missouri; St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Charles Borromeo Church or the charity of your choosing.