Donald Thiele

Donald Avery Thiele, 79, of Cape Coral, Fla., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died Nov. 2, 2003 at his son's home in Cape Girardeau from complications with cancer.

He was born in Licksville, Mo., June 3, 1924, moving to Fredericktown, Mo., as a child. He was the son of Dayton and Samantha Mae Thiele. He and Anna Bell Cornman were married in Hope, Ark., July 28, 1942. They were married over 61 years.

He served in the U.S. Army, 17th Airborne, Second Battalion Glider Division in World War II from 1942-1945.

Mr. Thiele worked for Superior Electric and Cape Ready Mix into the late '50s. He then started Thiele Concrete Finishing and worked in the Cape Girardeau area for over 30 years until turning the business over to his sons in 1982.

Survivors include his wife; three sons and their wives, Ronald and Kay Thiele of St. Charles, Mo., Steve and Tammy Thiele and Dennis Thiele of Cape Girardeau; a daughter, Donna Thiele of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two sisters, Maxine Thiele of Fredericktown, Mo., and Chelma Blacklidge of Moss Point, Miss.; nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Funeral Home, Mount Auburn Chapel, from 4 to 8 p.m. today.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The Rev. John Rhodes will officiate, with entombment at Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Society.