Former Cape County auditor Macke remembered as highly involved in community

H. Weldon Macke spread his knowledge and friendships far and wide when he became Cape Girardeau County's auditor in 1968.

That is because he was known as an honest and sincere person, said his sister, Dorothy Ann Ramsey.

Years later, in 2007, Macke decided to use his 34 years in that role for a new venture: a run for a place on the county commission.

"I have experience and knowledge of the county," Macke then told the Southeast Missourian. "I know probably every pig path in the county."

He didn't win that race, but his efforts in politics and community service no doubt made a lasting impression on many.

Macke, 81, died Friday at Southeast Hospital.

Friends and family remember Macke as highly involved, whether it be at church, in politics, in business or with family. In Gordonville he operated his family's store after his father's death. He taught Sunday school at his church, Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville, for more than 50 years. He was an avid supporter of Republican politics at local, state and national levels throughout his life and served on numerous community committees, covering everything from Southeast Hospital programs to the Southeast Missouri University Foundation Board. He was current chairman of the Southeast Missouri Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission.

"He was adamant that if you were going to belong to something, you should be active," said his daughter, Pamela Johnson.

Chauncey Buchheit, executive director of the planning commission, worked side by side with Macke for years.

"He was always out there for us when we needed anything, and we are certainly going to miss him," Buchheit said. "Weldon was my boss, but I also looked at him as my friend. He was someone I could always go to and talk to."

Others, like current Cape Girardeau County Auditor Pete Frazier, saw Macke as a mentor. He met Macke through the Pachyderm Club. Macke served as Frazier's campaign treasurer when he ran for office in 2010.

"He's the man I've looked up to and admired," Frazier said. "I want to do my best to see that I live up to his legacy. He will be missed, not only to me as a friend, but to the Republican Party and the community as a whole."

Johnson said her father's involvement in politics was something he truly loved. And there were things about him when it came to politics, she remembers, that couldn't be said for just anyone.

"Spiro Agnew remembered him," she said. She saw that firsthand when she traveled to Washington, D.C., in 1972. Macke was serving as a delegate during the presidential election. Agnew remembered her father, she said, because a plane he was on coming into Cape Girardeau almost skidded off the runway.

Macke was a great admirer of Ronald Reagan, she said. He was honored by Reagan as an "Outstanding Republican Office Holder," and more recently by Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder for extensive community service with a Senior Service Award.

Johnson remembers Macke working closely with then-Sen. Kit Bond to fund projects for the Cape Girardeau area.

Tom Schulte, a longtime adviser to Bond and a friend and former colleague of Macke, said he remembers him as someone who was always looking out for the future.

"Weldon had such a love for Cape Girardeau County," Schulte said. "He worked with Democrats and Republicans and was a great servant and civic leader."

Visitation for Macke will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville.

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