Cynthia Lynn Kneibert, 73

Cynthia Lynn Kneibert, 73, of 517 South Beacon, died Aug, 22, 2013 at her home after a long illness.

She was born April 28, 1940 in Providence, R. I., daughter of Glen M. and Doris J. Drew. On Nov. 11, 1958, she was married to F. Douglas Kneibert.

Cynthia was raised in Poplar Bluff, Mo., and after her marriage lived in Hawaii, California and Kansas City before moving with her family to Sedalia in 1967.

Cynthia was a graduate of State Fair Community College, Central Missouri University and the University of Missouri-Columbia. After graduating from MU in 1992 with a master’s degree in mental health social work, she worked as a psychotherapist at Charter Hospital in Columbia and at Concord Counseling Service in Sedalia. In 1994 she was licensed as a clinical social worker and opened a private mental health practice in Sedalia. Due to health reasons, she closed her practice in 2008.

Mrs. Kneibert taught Montessori pre-school and vacation Bible school for mentally challenged children in Sedalia. Based on her community service, the Sedalia Jaycees named her Outstanding Young Woman of Sedalia in 1972. She was the founder in 1975 of Pettis County Birthright and continued as its director until she became regional director for the eleven Birthright centers in Missouri and Arkansas. She was a foster care parent for the Division of Family Services for six years. She played flute with the Sedalia Symphony Orchestra for 15 years.

Mrs. Kneibert was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where she had served as a Eucharistic minister and small group co-leader for the parish. She went on mission trips to Russia and Morocco and was a member of the Sacred Heart Church Bible study group. She enjoyed sailing on the Lake of the Ozarks, beach vacations, riding horses and raising orchids, and was a member of the Sedalia Orchid Club. She was an accomplished watercolorist, and her paintings hang in several area homes.

Surviving are her husband of the home; two sons, Christopher Kneibert, Hillsboro, MO., and Philip Kneibert, Leawood, KS; a daughter, Sally King, Kansas City, two sisters, Janet Uhrmann, Merritt Island, FL, and Lisa Alton, Republic, MO, and five grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her eldest sister, Donna Drew.

The family will receive friends from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the McLaughlin Funeral Chapel. A scripture wake service, followed by personal reminiscence, will be held from 3 to 3:30 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church with Fr. Mark Miller officiating. Pallbearers are Gerald Wiltz, Hank Riffe, Gary Staton, Kent Korthas, Brad Uhrmann and Chris Wickern. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Pettis County Birthright or the Sedalia Animal Shelter in care of McLaughlin Funeral Chapel.