Benjamin Abbott

Benjamin H. "Benny" Abbott, 81, of Cape Girardeau passed away Thursday, July 26, 2007, at his home.

He was born May 3, 1926, in Cape Girardeau, son of Harry H. and Elsdena Scherer Abbott. He and Dorothy Mae Glasser were married Sept. 23, 1950, in Kelso, Mo.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps April 21, 1944, serving in the South Pacific during World War II until Aug. 3, 1946. He was called back to service during the Korean conflict from Sept. 26, 1950, to Oct. 13, 1951, serving in Korea and Japan.

Benny worked at Lonestar Industries as a truck driver and operator, retiring in 1988. He was a skilled craftsman and especially enjoyed woodworking after he retired.

He was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral, a lifetime member of Knights of Columbus Council 1111, and lifetime member of VFW Post 3838.

Loving survivors include Dorothy, his wife of 56 years; a son, David Abbott of Jackson; two daughters, Kathy (Gary "Herman") Huckstep of Jackson, Donna (Tom) Jones of Thousand Oaks, Calif.; a brother, William "Bill" Abbott of Perryville, Mo.; two grandchildren, Jennifer (Bobby) Hart, Shawn Huckstep; and a great-grandchild, Kaitlin Hart.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert "Bob" Abbott and Jerry Abbott.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. Parish prayers will be at 7, immediately followed by the rosary led by the Knights of Columbus.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Cathedral, with the Rev. Tom Kiefer officiating. Interment will follow in Lorimier Cemetery, with full military honors at the graveside.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Mary's Cathedral or its school.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.