Elmo Holland

Elmo Dale Holland, 90, of Cape Girardeau passed away Friday, Dec. 21, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 22, 1922, in Swinton, Mo., son of Herman and Pearl Lewis Holland. He and Helen M. Lee were married Feb. 26, 1947, for 65 wonderful years.

He graduated from Advance High School and attended the University of Missouri. He was a member of Lynwood Baptist Church and 57-year member of Harold Grauel Masonic Lodge No. 672, Cape Girardeau and a 52-year member of Modern Woodmen of America.

He was employed by Missouri Utilities/Union Electric Co. in the Dexter, Mo., and Cape Girardeau offices for 31 years, retiring as internal auditor. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European Theater in the following areas: Northern France; Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge); and Rhineland and Central Europe, including Czechoslovakia. He was awarded the following medals and citations: two Presidential unit citations; four bronze stars; combat infantryman's badge, victory ribbon; good combat medal; and two overseas bars. He was discharged as a technical sergeant.

He is survived by his wife, Helen; two sons, Dr. Romie (Jean) Holland of Woodland, Calif. and Randal (Janice) Holland of Cape Girardeau; five grandsons, Shane Holland of Woodland, Ryan (Susan) Holland of Woodland, Bruce and Brandon Suchman of Cape Girardeau and Benjamin (Jennifer) Suchman of Warrensburg, Mo.; seven great-grandchildren, Audrey and Eli Holland, of Woodland and Arizona, Raylee, Cadence, Serena and Braemar Suchman of Warrensburg; a brother, Gale (Derenda) Holland of Cape Girardeau; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Dolores Wessel; and two brothers, Deloit and J.C. Holland.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with pastors Mark Anderson and Frank Burgess officiating. Burial will be with full military rites at Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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