Elmer Stroud

Elmer Ralph Stroud, 86, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Sullivan, Mo., died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 6, 1927, in West Point, Miss., to Elmer Raleigh and Grace Irene Deckard Stroud. He graduated from Caruthersville High School in 1942. Stroud was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army.

He and Betty Christine Vaughn were married Aug. 8, 1946, in Caruthersville, Mo. She died Oct. 31, 1989. He married Mary Betty Hale Hayden on Dec. 21, 1990, in Sullivan.

Stroud was a rural mail carrier for the U.S. post office in Sullivan for more than 20 years, retiring in 1993. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 63, the Kiwanis Club in Cape Girardeau and the Masonic Lodge No. 69 A.F. & A.M. in Sullivan.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Betty Stroud of Cape Girardeau; one son, Scott E. (Kimberly) Stroud of Mission Viejo, Calif.; two stepsons, William "Bill" (Edith) Hayden of Elbridge, Tenn., and Joseph (Sharon) Hayden of Hartville, Mo.; three daughters, Janice Elaine Wall of Bourbon, Mo., and Deborah Annette (Ron) Campbell and Kathy Lynne (Kenny) Campbell, both of Sullivan; a brother Raleigh Earl Stroud of Tucson, Ariz.; 16 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Betty Christine; son Steven Ralph Stroud; brother, Lloyd Everett Stroud; sister, Katheryn Hopkins; granddaughter, Samantha Rae; and son-in-law David Logan Wall Sr.

Visitation was Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel.

Funeral services were Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating.

Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Sullivan with full military honors by the Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society, 106 Farrar Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or the American Heart Association 460 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St Louis, MO 63141.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.