Charles Wachter

ALTENBURG, Mo. -- Charles E. Wachter, age 56, of Altenburg passed away Saturday, June 10, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Oct. 27, 1949, in Cape Girardeau, son of Otto O. "Chip" and Lillian Haertling Wachter. He and Retha Stueve were married June 2, 1973, in Frohna, Mo.

Charley was raised on the family dairy farm in Altenburg and graduated from Jackson High School in 1967. He worked on the farm until it was sold in 1995, and then drove a milk truck for William F. Braun Milk Hauling for 10 years. He retired in 2004 due to ill health.

He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, and was a former usher and trustee of the church. He was a former member of the school board at Concordia Trinity Lutheran School in Frohna-Altenburg, the 1140th Engineer Battalion of the National Guard, and a member of the American Legion post in Perryville.

Charley was an avid sports enthusiast and enjoyed league bowling in Frohna and Jackson.

Loving survivors include his wife of 33 years; a son, Jamie Wachter of Thomasville, Ga.; three daughters, Vicki (Clay) Helderman of Whitewater, Terri (Jeff) Peters of Burfordville, Cindy (Patrick) Johnston of Scott City; a grandson, Lane Johnston; two brothers, Marty Wachter of Old Appleton, Mo., Kenny Wachter of Jackson; two sisters, Marlene Scholl, and Janet (Steve) Statler, all of Jackson; and a sister-in-law, Agnes Wachter of Old Appleton.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.

Friends may call Tuesday, June 13, 2006, between 4 and 8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, and after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 14, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells.

Funeral service will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the church, with Rev. Rick Patzwitz officiating.

Interment will follow in Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in New Wells.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery Fund or the charity of your choice.

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