Erwin Buchheit

Erwin Buchheit

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Erwin W. "Speed" Buchheit, 93, of Perryville died Dec. 26, 2009, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Oct. 15, 1916, at Old Appleton, Mo., to Leo M. Buchheit and Anna Ponder Buchheit. He married Sylvia Berkbuegler on April 29, 1942. She preceded him in death March 2, 1962. He then married Cecelia "Mae" Moore L'Hote on May 14, 1966, She preceded him in death April 16, 2007.

Buchheit was the owner/operator of Perryville Oliver Co. in Perryville for more than 50 years; he retired in 1986. He was a World War II Army veteran, receiving three Bronze Stars. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Perryville, American Legion Post 133, where he was a past commander (1953), VFW, the Knights of Columbus for 72 years, the Disabled American Veterans and the Western Catholic Union.

Survivors include two daughters, Catherine (Larry) Koenig of Perryville and Louise Jausel of Cape Girardeau; two stepdaughters, Carol (Lester) Wingerter of Perryville, Marilyn Kaye (Mike) Hagan of St. Louis; three stepsons, John (JoAnn) L'Hote of Perryville, Hubert (Joan) L'Hote of St. Louis, Rickey L'Hote of Perryville; three brothers, Hubert (LaVerne) Buchheit, Linus "Sonny" (Bernetta) Buchheit and Martin "Pepper" (Henrietta) Buchheit; two sisters, Elfrieda Sutterer and Theresa (Ralph) Wibbenmeyer.

He is also survived by grandchildren, Alan (Linda) Koenig of Perryville; Dana Koenig of Chicago, Michelle Weinhold of Campbell Hill, Ill., and Eric Jausel of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three great-grandchildren; 12 stepgrandchildren; 19 great-stepgrandchildren; and two great-great-stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; four brothers, Herman, Leander, William and Leo; and three sisters, Mary Layton, Olivia Amschler and Florentine Buchheit.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at Miller Family Funeral Home in Perryville. An American Legion service will be at 6 p.m. with a VFW service immediately following. Parish prayers will be with the Knights of Columbus at 7 p.m.

Visitation will continue from 6:30 to 9:50 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5. The rosary will be recited at 9 a.m. at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Perryville, with the Rev. Milton Ryan officiating and Monsignor Jerome Buchheit and Monsignor Richard Buchheit concelebrating.

Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery with graveside military honors courtesy of the American Legion and the Delta Team. Memorials should be sent to St. Vincent School or a charity of choice.

Miller Family Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.