Catherine “Cathy” Ann Scheppner passed away peacefully at her home in St. Louis, Missouri, on Friday, January 27, 2017 after a long struggle with cancer, surrounded by love from her children and her sister, Rita.
Born on November 29, 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Georgia and Harold Scheppner, Cathy graduated from Rosati-Kain High School in 1973. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Washington University in St. Louis in 1977, and held teaching certifications in early childhood education and special education. During her 30+ years as an educator, she taught more than 1400 children with special needs, most recently at Hamilton Elementary in the Saint Louis Public School District.
Cathy loved cooking, fishing, hiking, and camping with her family, and most of all, playing games and making crafts with her grandchildren. As a grandmother and teacher, she shared her creativity and her spontaneous, joyful spirit with every child who crossed her path. A lifelong Catholic, Cathy spent much of her career as a parochial school teacher in early childhood special education. When any of her students needed encouragement, someone to listen, or a hug they couldn’t get at home, she was there with open arms.
She is survived by her family in St. Louis, including her husband Eric Aschemeyer, her son Joseph Kahn, his wife Sara, their two children, Kaylee and Lucas; her son Jeremy Kahn, his wife Vicki, their two children, Shea and Liah; her son, Adam Kahn; her three sisters Rita LaMonica (Rick), Lisa Braatz (Richard) of Naperviille, Illinois, Mary Knoll (Tim Hendrickson) of Pacifica, California, and a host of loving great-nieces and nephews, friends, colleagues, and students.
Visitation will be hosted at Kutis Funeral Home in Affton, 10151 Gravois Rd, Affton, MO 63123, on Tuesday, January 31, 2017, from 4pm to 9pm. The Funeral Service will be held in the Kutis Affton Chapel on Wednesday, February 1 at 11:30am. While flowers are greatly appreciated, the family also welcomes donations made in Cathy’s honor to KidSmart St. Louis by calling (314) 291-6211, or giving online at kidsmartstl.org.