Elmer Petzoldt

Elmer "Gib" Petzoldt, 84, of Pocahontas passed away Monday, March 8, 2004 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 28, 1919, near Pocahontas, son of Herman and Anna Scholl Petzoldt.

He was baptized Sept. 14, 1919, and confirmed April 9, 1933, at Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas. A lifelong member of the church, he had served on the church council as elder and trustee, and on the finance board.

Gib entered the U.S. Army on April 2, 1941, and worked as a medical technician in military hospitals. He was honorably discharged Oct. 6, 1945, as a staff sergeant. Upon his return from the service, he resided with his brother and sister-in-law, Olaf and Linda Petzoldt, and their children, Gene, Jerry and Sharon. He worked in construction until he retired in 1975 to work on the family farm.

Loving survivors include two sisters-in-law, Linda Petzoldt of Pocahontas and Nelta Petzoldt of Jackson; nephews Gene and Jerry Petzoldt of Jackson; and niece Sharon Schuessler of Jackson.

Other surviving nephews and nieces are Clayton, Leon, Gary, Lonnie and Ronnie Tuschhoff, Paul Koenig, Willard, Truman and Larry Petzoldt, Olga Ruessler, Rosie Pierce, Leona Thomas, Nelda Leinger, Esther Reisenbichler, Oliva Yeager, Laverne Ruehling and Vivian Fiehler.

He was preceded in death by five brothers, Edwin, Aaron, Hugo, Rito and Olaf Petzoldt; two sisters, Flora Koenig and Lucy Tuschhoff; one nephew, Ray Tuschoff; and one niece, Melba Petty.

Friends may call Wednesday, March 10, between 4 and 8 p.m. at the McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, and after 9 a.m. Thursday at Zion Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.

The funeral service will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at the church, with the Rev. Robert Mann officiating.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery with graveside military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Zion Lutheran Church, Missouri Veterans Home or Southeast Hospice.