Benjamin LeGrand

Benjamin William LeGrand, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, June 18, 2007, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Aug. 5, 1917, in Benton, Mo., son of Lawrence and Katie Klipfel LeGrand. He and Lucille Fredrick were married June 5, 1943, in Dutchtown. She died Dec. 29, 2000.

Mr. LeGrand graduated from Chaffee High School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Church and Knights of Columbus Council 1111.

Mr. LeGrand was the owner and operator of LeGrand's Garage & Transmissions, which he started in 1953. He had previously worked for the Buick Dealership in Cape Gir­ardeau.

He enjoyed woodworking, making things such as toys and rocking chairs for his grandchildren.

Survivors include five sons, Ron (Sue) LeGrand of Mattoon, Ill., Dave (Diane) LeGrand, Tom (Brenda) LeGrand, Darryl (Gina) LeGrand, and Sam LeGrand, all of Cape Girardeau; five daughters, Carol (Jack) Lemons of Essex, Mo., Yvonne Finnegan of Virginia, Karen (Gene) Golden, Yvette (David) West, and Tammy Hendrickson, all of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Art LeGrand of Cape Girardeau; 32 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three sons, Michael, Stephen and Joseph LeGrand; a daughter, Catherine LeGrand; four brothers; three sisters; and a granddaughter, Jessica LeGrand.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. Parish prayers will be at 7, with Knights of Columbus rosary immediately following.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with the Rev. Rahab Isadore officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Birthright or the Jessica LeGrand Scholarship Fund at Notre Dame Regional High School.