Gregory Otto Sankey, Jr., age 82, of Freeburg, was born August 3, 1939, at Jefferson City, a son of Gregory Otto and Marie Cecila (Schulte) Sankey, Sr., and passed from this life Wednesday, June 8, 2022, in SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital, Jefferson City.

On September 15, 1957, at St. Louis, Missouri, Greg entered active federal service in the United States Army, and served until March 14, 1958, when he was honorably discharged at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, at the rank of PVT-2.  Following his basic training, Greg's Advanced Individual Training was with the Quartermaster Corps for his specialty number 710 as a Clerk.  He was then assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, United States Army Receiving Station, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, until his discharge from active duty.  A man of excellent character, Mr. Sankey 's "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of selfless and dedicated service to his country.

He was united in marriage November 19, 1960, at Freeburg, to the former Miss Margaret Clara Falter, and to this union, four children were born.

Greg was a 1957 graduate of Fatima High School, Westphalia, and continued his education through the years by attending the Graham School of Cattlemen in 1974, receiving Emergency Medical Training in 1976, taking the Dale Carnegie Course in 1977, completing real estate classes in 1994, as well as adult education classes for welding, electrical, and computers at Fatima High School.  He was a devoted member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Koeltztown, and enjoyed serving on the parish council for many years.  Greg was also a member of the Argyle Knights of Columbus Council 2047.

During his working life, he was first employed by Probst Construction, Jefferson City.  Other employment was with Burk Bridge Company, Springfield; Davis Construction, Boonville; and in 1972 he became owner and operator of a Grade A dairy farm until 1992.  Greg was owner and operator of G&M Enterprises, Freeburg, from 1989 until 1996 specializing in setting up and installing Taylor outside hot water furnaces.  He then worked for Burns Security, Jefferson City, and was last employed at Scholastic, Inc., Jefferson City, until his retirement.  Greg and his wife, Margaret, operated and lived on their family farm for more than sixty years.

Those left to celebrate the life of Mr. Sankey include: Two sons, David Sankey (Karen) of Argyle, and Glenn Sankey (Christy) of Koeltztown; one daughter, Carol Jones (Larry) of Koeltztown; daughter-in-law, Cara  Sankey of Freeburg; eight  grandchildren, Katalin Holtmeyer (Patrick), Matthew Jones (Alexandra), Cayla Sankey, Sierra Sankey, Zachary Sankey, Maranda Jones, Scott Sankey, and Kaylee Sankey; six step-grandchildren, Lynne Brandt, Paul Wieberg, Betsy Watring, T.J. Cardwell, Samantha Wallace, and Johnny Stein; two sisters, Delores Scheppers (Joseph) of Westphalia, Bernice Schroeder (George) of Argyle; brothers and sisters-in-law, Harold Falter (Judy) of Freeburg, and Marita Wansing (Danny) of Dixon; nephews; nieces; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-one years, Margaret, on November 22, 2021; one  son, Keith Jerome Sankey, on July 9, 2018; his father, Gregory, on April 23, 1990; his mother, Marie, on April 28, 1994; two brothers, infant Herbert Francis Sankey on March 24, 1944, aged 28 days, and Jerome Norbert Sankey, on October 22, 1976; and two nephews, Ralph William Sankey on March 2, 1986, and Timothy Gregory Schroeder on March 2, 1986.

Visitation for Mr. Gregory O. Sankey, Jr. will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in St. Boniface Catholic Church, 3982 Highway T, Koeltztown, MO 65048, with his Mass of Christian Burial following at 11:00 a.m. in the church under the direction of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, Vienna.

Interment, with full military honors, for Mr. Sankey will be in the St. Boniface Cemetery, Koeltztown, beside his beloved wife.  Serving as his pallbearers will be Matthew Jones, Zachary Sankey, Roger Sankey, Mark Sankey, Scott Sankey, and Patrick Holtmeyer.  Posthumous honorary pallbearers for Mr. Sankey are his nephews, Ralph Sankey and Tim Schroeder.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Gregory O. Sankey, Jr. are suggested by his family for Masses or to the St. Boniface Endowment Fund with envelopes available at St. Boniface Church the day of service or in care of Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home, P.O. Box 250, Vienna, MO 65582.

Online condolences may be shared with the family of Mr. Gregory O. Sankey, Jr. at www.birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com