E.P. 'Pug' Kurre

E. P. "Pug" Kurre, 97, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau.

E.P. 'Pug' Kurre

The eighth of nine children, E.P. was born Emra Pershing on Dec. 2, 1918, in Kurreville, Missouri, to Gustav and Leonora Fulbright Kurre. The Kurres moved from Kurreville to Jackson in 1930. Pug was a 1936 graduate of Jackson High School. He and Leona Limbaugh were married April 26, 1940, at the former church parsonage of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson. They had been married nearly 75 years when Leona passed away April 10, 2015.

Pug was an honorably discharged U.S. Army Air Force veteran, serving from Jan. 2, 1943, to Oct. 14, 1945. He was a sergeant with the 851st Bomb Squadron and was awarded six bronze stars for the battles of Central Europe; Rhineland; Ardennes; North France; Normandy; and the Air Offensive Europe. He also received the European-African-Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon; two Overseas Bars; and a Good Conduct Medal.

Upon returning to Jackson, Pug became employed with the former International Shoe Factory, working as a cutter. He retired in 1983, with over 47 years of service.

Pug was a longtime, active member of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson, where he served on nearly every committee; led the committee to build a new parsonage in 1956; and was a member of the choir for 55 years.

E.P. 'Pug' Kurre

His other affiliations included serving over 20 years on the city of Jackson Park Board and over 70 years of membership in Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson. Pug also was an avid gardener, and many will remember his meticulously groomed yard across from Jackson City Park.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Dina (Neil) Casey of Cape Girardeau and Gina (Terry) Rogers of St Louis; five grandchildren, Lee (Tyne) Strickert and daughter Claire, Mark (Tiffany) Strickert and son Lane, and Ann Strickert, Garrett and Reid Rogers.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Freddie, Roy, Joe and Bill Kurre; and four sisters, Geska Richter, Norene Chamness, Sophie Brandes and Rosalie Heitman.

Friends are invited to an American Legion Honor Guard Service at 9:30 a.m. Friday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. Visitation will begin thereafter.

The funeral will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating. Military honors will be at the funeral home immediately following the ceremony. Burial will be at Russell Heights Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Emanuel UCC in Jackson or Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.