Cleo VanAmburg

Cleo C. VanAmburg, 81, of Jackson passed away Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Jan. 16, 1926, in rural Cape Girardeau County, to Oliver and Mary (Seabaugh) VanAmburg. He and Helen M. Best were married June 23, 1945.

Cleo entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in March 1944. He was a B-24 gunner in the 392nd bomb group (578th squadron) and flew 16 combat missions in the European Theatre. His ribbons and medals include the American Theatre Ribbon, Victory Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Battle Ribbon for Central Europe. He was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant in June 1946.

Cleo worked 10 years at the former Jackson Hosiery Mill. He worked 32 years at Cape Electric Supply, retiring as the warehouse manager.

While raising his family, Cleo umpired little league baseball and coached boys basketball in the Optimist league.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, where he formerly served on the finance board and was a charter member of the men's club. He was also a member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons and a daughter: Steve VanAmburg of Jackson, his children, Dr. Ami (Tom) Rau of Kansas City, Mo., Matthew S. (Charity) VanAmburg of Farmington, Mo., Abbie (Matthew) Edwards of Jackson; Dr. Cleo C. (Kathie) VanAmburg Jr. of Linn Creek, Mo., his children, Polly (David) Hawk of St. Joseph, Mo., Cari Beth VanAmburg of Bristol, R.I., Kathie's children, Michelle (Shawn) McGraw of Independence, Mo., Scott Blackburn of Cleveland; Mark (Rita) VanAmburg and children Blake and Brooke VanAmburg, all of Glendale, Ariz.; Susan (Tim) Smith of Ellisville, Mo., and their children, Deanna (David) Bender of Brentwood, Mo., Stacie Smith of Ellisville; seven great-grandchildren: Kimberly, Gabriel, and Alivia Rau of Kansas City; Luke and Haden VanAmburg of Farmington; Vance and Jillian Edwards of Jackson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Tony VanAmburg of Cape Girardeau.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. An American Legion service will be held at 7 p.m.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m.Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Robert Henrichs officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Paul Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

Entombment will follow in Memorial Park Mausoleum with full military honors.

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