Alvin Marberry

Alvin J. Marberry, 85, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Sept. 8, 1923, in Clarkton, Mo., son of Andrew J. and Effie Belver Marberry. He and Lillian M. Blank were married Oct. 20, 1943, in Cape Girardeau. She died Oct. 2, 1988.

Marberry served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1943 to 1945, receiving six Bronze Medals.

He was a former member of St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and a member of VFW Post 3838.

Marberry worked at the former Marquette Cement Plant in Cape Girardeau and later was a heating and air conditioning technician at Southeast Missouri State University 15 years, retiring in 1985.

He is survived by two daughters, Laura (Randy) Sparkman of Cape Girardeau, Joy (Joe) Campany of Fort Pierce, Fla.; five sons, Joseph (Mary) Marberry of St. Louis, John Marberry of Peoria, Ill., Patrick (Brenda) Marberry of St. Louis, Michael Marberry of Cape Girardeau, Paul (Karen) Marberry of Cape Girardeau; a daughter-in-law, Roslyn Marberry of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Howard Marberry of Cape Girardeau; loving companion of 19 years, Gertrude Fingerhut of Cape Girardeau; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and a son, Steven Marberry.

Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Lorimier Cemetery, with the Rev. David Hulshof officiating. Full military rites will be conducted by Missouri Honors Team.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.