Bill Kurre

William "Bill" Kurre, 74, of rural Friedheim passed away Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, at his home.

He was born April 18, 1940, in Friedheim, son of Alonzo E. and Ella Hobeck Kurre. He and Jacqueline "Jackie" Crites were married Dec. 24, 1961, at Sargents Chapel.

Bill graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 1959. After graduation, he worked for the former Jackson Handle Factory.

He was a member of the 140th Infantry National Guard from 1961 until 1967.

In 1961 he began a career at Sealtest Dairy, working for Tom O'Loughlin in Jackson, transferring to St. Louis in 1963, back to Cape Girardeau in 1965, and retiring in 1975. He worked for Oda Friese in residential construction from 1977 until 2007, and cattle farmed from 1977 until the present time. He was a life member of New Salem United Methodist Church, where he was on the building committee for the new fellowship hall, chairman of church trustees, a former Sunday school superintendent, former president of the church board and a member of the choir. He was a volunteer with North Cape County Fire Department, enjoyed bowling in Jackson and Perryville, Missouri, and had traveled 49 states in the USA.

Loving survivors include his wife of nearly 53 years, Jackie; two sons, Joel Kurre and Wesley (Lesley) Kurre of Perryville; a daughter, Anne (Doug) Abner of Friedheim; his father, Alonzo Kurre of Friedheim; nine grandchildren, Joel (Kt) Kurre, Meghan (Jackson) Miner, Reece Kurre, Riley Kurre, Brock Kurre, Mia Kurre, Ian Kurre, Caroline and Marshal Abner; a great-grandson, Jayden Miner, expecting a second in May; and two sisters, June (Richard) Oehl of Friedheim and Joan (Lloyd) Ford of Anderson, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elsie Kurre in 1997, and a daughter-in-law, Kimberley Kurre in 2007.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at New Salem United Methodist Church near Daisy.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Steven Koerner officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to New Salem United Methodist Church, or the Henderson Settlement c/o the church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting