Donald Niederkorn

Donald Henry Niederkorn, 74, of Jackson passed away Saturday, April 10, 2021, at his home.

He was born Aug. 10, 1946, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Henry and Betty Larson Niederkorn. He and Judi Beussink were married June 5, 1971, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson.

Don graduated from Kelly High School in Benton, Missouri, and earned a bachelor's degree from Southeast Missouri State College (now Southeast Missouri State University).

After college, he served in the Peace Corps in India. While in India, he considered it a great honor to have met Indira Gandhi, and in his travels to Tibet, shared a meal with the Dalai Lama.

Don was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Jackson. He formerly played bass guitar with The Shamrocks.

In addition to his wife of nearly 50 years, Judi Niederkorn, loving survivors include two daughters, Lisa Niederkorn of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Marybeth (David Lloyd) Niederkorn of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Tim (Donna) Niederkorn of Belleville, Illinois; a stepbrother, Michael Riley of St. Louis; three stepsisters, Phyllis Spence and Patti Cook of Cape Girardeau and Lisa Beussink of Jackson; many nieces and nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews; stepnieces and stepnephews; and great-step-nieces and great-step-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Robert Niederkorn; stepmother, Jeanette Riley Niederkorn; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson, with the Rev. Randolph Tochtrop officiating.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Birthright of Cape Girardeau, 2633 Hopper Road, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or Immaculate Conception Youth Group, 208 S. Hope Street, Jackson, MO 63755 or to Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R. of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother, 369 Little Church Road, Toronto, OH 43964.

McCombs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

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