Cletus Wilburn Hahs

Cletus Wilburn Hahs, 98, of Jackson, passed on to his heavenly home on Thursday afternoon, August 7, 2014, at the Jackson Manor.

He was born on Dec. 25, 1915 to Peter Kirby (P.K.) and Cora Caroline (nee Linebarger) Hahs on a farm near Daisy, Missouri.

Cletus loved school and began his educational journey at the one-room rural Critesville School near the family farm, where his brother was teaching. He went on to graduate from Oak Ridge High School in 1935. He attended Southeast Missouri Teachers College in Cape Girardeau where he obtained his certification to teach school.

Seventy-six years ago on Aug. 9, 1938, Cletus married the love of his life, a pretty red-haired girl, Stella Lohman. Together they made a home in Jackson while Cletus took the one-room school teaching position at Williams Creek, east of Jackson.

In order to supplement his income in the summers, he reopened the Shell Service Station in uptown Jackson in 1941 while continuing to teach until 1945 when Williams Creek School was consolidated into the Jackson School District.

Throughout his career, he loved to tell stories. While in the station business, among his many patrons were Cardinals first baseman Johnny Lindell; Cardinals announcer Gabby Street; and Bob Petitt of the St. Louis Hawks basketball team. During the 1944 presidential election, his special visitor was Harry S. Truman, who was on his way to a political campaign dinner in Caruthersville, Missouri.

Along with his wife Stella as bookkeeper, they operated C. W. Hahs Shell Station as a full-service station until 1974 when he retired.

While living in Jackson, Mr. Hahs was active in the community, serving as deputy sheriff at the request of Sheriff Reuben Schade.

He was elected to the Jackson City Council in 1960 when the City Hall was built on Adams and High Street, now Cox Memorial.

As a businessman, Cletus belonged to the Jackson Chamber of Commerce.

Following retirement, Cletus and Stella moved to the ancestral family farm established by his grandfather John Hahs near Daisy. They enjoyed many happy years on the farm, sharing activities of hunting and fishing with the whole family, including grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many friends. It received the Century Farm designation in 1984.

Cletus was a lifelong Methodist, belonging to New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson and New Salem United Methodist Church at Daisy.

Survivors include his wife of 76 years; a daughter, Beverly Kaye and husband, T. Ronald Hahs, of Cape Girardeau; a son, Dwain L. and wife, Susan of Jackson; grandchildren, Lance (Nancy) Moll of Prosper, Texas; Bethany (Jason) Taylor of Overland Park, Kansas; Brian (Julie) Hahs of Jackson; and Christy (Mike) Flannery of Raleigh, North Carolina; Justin (Ashley) Hahs of Fairport, New York, and Jessica Hahs of Ballwin, Missouri. The couple have 15 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and sister.

Visitation will be Sunday at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson from 4 to 8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at New Salem United Methodist Church in Daisy beginning at 11 a.m., with viewing at 10 a.m. before services. Pastor Steven Koerner will officiate. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to New Salem United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com

McCombs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.