Dr. Michael Charek

Dr. Michael Charek, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004, at his home, following an extended illness.

He was born Nov. 2, 1927, in Rohozna, Romania, son of Nicholas and Helena Moldo-van Charek. He and Ingeborg J. "Inge" Russek were married Dec. 21, 1951.

Michael was inducted into the U.S. Air Force in March 1951 during the Korean Conflict era. He became disabled in Vietnam. Last stationed at Scott Air Force Base, he retired as a senior master sergeant in June 1976.

He received a doctorate degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale in 1979. The family moved to Cape Girardeau in 1980, and he began teaching electronics courses in the industrial technology department at Southeast Missouri State University. After retiring in 1991, he became a volunteer instructor, teaching English to foreign students at Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center.

He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans and St. Andrew Lutheran Church, where he served as an elder.

Survivors include his wife, Inge, of 52 years; two sons, Michael R. Charek and wife Janice of Portland, Maine, Nicholas C. Charek and wife Roswitha of Jacksonville, Fla.; two daughters, Eleonore Thomas and husband Robert of Carbondale, and Ingrid J. Walker and husband Tim of Pace, Fla.

He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Howard F. Thomas and wife Cheryl of DuQuoin, Ill., Heather A. Thomas of Carbondale, Monica B. Charek of Bozeman, Mont., Nicholas Charek and wife Alice of Portland, Jesse A. Charek, Nathan B. Charek and Michael H. Charek of Jacksonville, Alan N. Walker and Sarah E. Walker of Pace; two great-grandsons, Harrison and Brennen Thomas of DuQuoin; and five cousins of Heilbronn, Germany.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a grandson, Christopher Michael Thomas.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girar-deau.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Paul Short officiating.

A committal service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Southeast Hospice or Southeast Missouri State University.