Ferdinand Sturm

Ferdinand Nicholas Sturm, 88, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Sept. 26, 2005, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born Nov. 13, 1916, in Marion, Ill., son of Edward George and Elizabeth Krumery Sturm. He and Ruth Estes were married Dec. 4, 1942, in Cape Girardeau. She passed away Sept. 30, 2000.

Mr. Sturm worked for the Department of Corrections and Human Resources-Board of Probation and Parole 40 years, the last 13 as a board member. He retired in 1982.

He was appointed to the Board of Probation and Parole by Gov. Warren E. Hearnes in 1969. He moved to Cape Girardeau in 1982 from Jefferson City, Mo. He was president of Missouri Corrections Association in 1976.

He received an award in grateful recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Missouri Criminal Justice System in the area of correctional rehabilitation in November 1981. He was appointed by the governor as chairman of Citizens Advisory Council for Department of Corrections in 1985.

Mr. Sturm was a member of Jackson Men's Garden Club, Executive Club, served with Meals on Wheels, volunteered at Saint Francis Medical Center more than 1,000 hours, member of Exchange Club, served on board of directors from 1988 to 1993, Freedom Shrine Committee five years and chairman three years, and was chairman of Crime Prevention Committee 1988 to 1989. He was president elect 1989-1990.

He was chairman of committee of One Nation Under God Breakfast, selected Exchangeite of the Year 1989-1990, chairman of the Youth of the Year program, member of Masonic Lodge of Dexter 50 years, 32nd Degree Mason, and member of Shriners. He was a member of First Christian Church, received certificates of recognition for Christian ministry and services in November 1990 by First Christian Church, was chairman of the church board in 1987 and was a life elder.

Survivors include a daughter, Martha Sue "Marti" Sturm of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Albert G. Sturm of San Jose, Calif.; two sisters, Mildred Menkow of Turnersville, N.J., Elnir Fulkerson of Rockford, Ill.; and a granddaughter, Jill Anne Welter of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a son, Michael E. Sturm, April 17, 1994; a brother, and a sister.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday. A Masonic service will be held at 7.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at First Christian Church, with the Rev. Rodger Kiepe officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made to First Christian Church Building Fund, 2411 Abbey Road, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.