Dr. Charles DeFelice

Dr. Charles E. DeFelice, 68, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Nov. 7, 2008, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau of chronic lymphocytic leukemia complicated with hemalytic anemia.

He was born June 7, 1940, in Hagerstown, Md., the son of Phillip and Frances (Bonebrake) DeFelice. He received his college education at the University of Maryland and graduated cum laude from the University of Maryland School of Medicine at College Park. While there he was chosen to membership in Alpha Omega Alpha, a national honorary medical society.

He completed an internship at Maryland General and a residence in Internal Medicine at the University of Maryland Hospital. His fellowship in cardiology was completed in 1972 at Maryland. He was a Maryland Medical School faculty member and associate professor from 1972 to 1979. Dr. DeFelice moved to Cape Girardeau in 1980 and established a cardiology practice and helped to bring open heart surgery to the community.

He was a Fellow in the American College of Cardiology, a Fellow in the American College of Chest Physicians, a member of American College of Physicians and the Missouri AMA.

Dr. DeFelice and his wife, Lu, were married Oct. 17, 1979, and moved to Cape Girardeau. He leaves a daughter, Kelly, and husband Todd and two grandchildren in Virginia; a son, Todd, and wife Terri and two grandchildren in Maryland; a stepson, Howard, and wife Karrie and three grandchildren in Kansas; a stepson, Barry, and wife Misty and a grandson in Missouri. He also leaves a sister, Sandra, and her family in Maryland.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Scott.

He was a member of St. Mary Cathedral Parish.

As per Dr. DeFelice's wishes, there will be no services.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.