Bernard Bechtold

WAPPAPELLO, Mo. -- Bernard William Bechtold Sr., 69, of Wappapello died Monday, Sept. 1, 2008, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis.

He was born Aug. 4, 1939, at Alton, Ill., son of Bernard J. and Dorothy Hefley Bechtold. He and Carolyn Berry were married Dec. 18, 1965, at Alton.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Persian Gulf War. He had worked at Falcon Door in Malden. He was a member of the VFW.

Survivors include his wife, his mother; Dorothy Bechtold of Godfrey, Ill; a son, Bernard Bechtold Jr. of Fenton, Mich.; two daughters, Toni Bechtold and Patricia Bechtold, both of Panama City, Fla.; two brothers, Frank Bechtold of Ohio and John Bechtold of Washington; a sister, Dorothy Gross of Godfrey; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance, Mo.

The funeral will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Revs. Dennis Doublin and Bob Taylor officiating.

Interment will be in the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield, Mo.