Ervin Boxdorfer

Ervin Leonard Boxdorfer, 68, of Jackson was taken to his heavenly home Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He entered this earthly life Feb. 16, 1938, in Perry County, Mo., son of Leonard G. and Minnie C. Deimund Boxdorfer. He married Wanda L. Bohnert Oct. 27, 1962. She preceded him in death Aug. 1, 1993. He later married Ellen E. "Jeannie" Roberts June 4, 1994, in Cape Girardeau. She survives.

He was a 1957 graduate of Perryville High School.

Ervin served in the U.S. Marine Corps from Aug. 12, 1958, to Aug. 11, 1961, when he was honorably discharged. He was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. from 1961 to 1991. He began as an installer/repairman and an SXS switchman in Perryville, Mo., promoted into management in 1973 serving at Flat River, Mo., Dexter, Mo., Sikeston, Mo., and finally to Cape Girardeau in 1979. He retired in 1991.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannie Boxdorfer; two sons, Russell Boxdorfer and wife Traci of Gardner, Kan., Neil Boxdorfer and wife Carla of Dexter; two stepsons, Kevin Alfultis and wife Cathy of St. Louis, Matthew Jones and wife Deanna of Moberly, Mo.; two stepdaughters, Cheryl Beggs and husband Douglas of Blodgett, Mo., and Cynthia Alfultis of Jackson.

Also surviving are seven brothers, Hubert Boxdorfer and wife Sylvia of Caseyville, Ill., Al Boxdorfer and wife Mary of Belleville, Ill., Richard Boxdorfer and wife Ruth Ann of Bethalto, Ill., Tom Boxdorfer and wife Reva of Bethalto, Dan Boxdorfer and wife Patty of Lake St. Louis, Mo., Milford Boxdorfer and wife Joyce of Olney, Ill., Ollie Boxdorfer and wife Lynn of Steeleville, Ill.; a sister, Clara Hall of Ashley, Ill.; special sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Boxdorfer of Jackson; a brother-in-law, Wally Holmes of Venedy, Ill.; brothers-in-law, Wayne Bohnert and wife Jeanette of Perryville, Eddie Bohnert and wife Judy of Arnold; sister-in-law, Velda Unterreiner and husband Jim of Perryville; 14 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Marvin Boxdorfer of Jackson; and a sister, Judy Holmes of Venedy.

Ervin was a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel in Cape Girardeau. He served as deacon and elder, member of Men's Club, head usher, choir member and served in various committee positions.

He was a past member of Perryville Jaycees and Rotary clubs in Dexter and Cape Girardeau, volunteered at Saint Francis Medical Center as an installer/repairman of Lifeline phones, and at Southeast Missouri Hospital where he served as transporter for cancer patients. He was a lifetime member of Telephone Pioneers Club, member of American Legion Post 63 in Cape Girardeau and the Marine Corps League of Southeast Missouri.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home today from 4 to 9 p.m. with special service by American Legion Post 63 at 7, and then again at Good Shepherd Chapel Saturday from 9 a.m. to service time.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Good Shepherd Chapel, with the Rev. Barry L. Pfanstiel officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park, with military rites conducted by the Marine Corps League of Southeast Missouri and Missouri Honor Guard.

Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Memorial Fund, American Cancer Society of Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau office (We Can Weekend), or Southeast Hospice.