Frank Emmendorfer

Frank D. Emmendorfer Jr., 87, formerly of Perryville, Missouri, passed away Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 18, 1927, in Perryville to Frank D. and Corrine Chovaux Emmendorfer Sr. He and Bettilee "Betty" Cook were married Aug. 16, 1952, at the former St. Mary's of the Barrens Catholic Church in Perryville. Their union was blessed with six children, two of whom preceded them in death. They had been married nearly 62 years when Betty passed away July 25, 2014.

Frank attended parochial elementary school in Perryville and was a 1943 graduate of Perryville High School. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving honorably from Dec. 4, 1944, to Dec. 29, 1946.

The Emmendorfers resided many years in Perryville and were active members of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. They owned and operated Perryville Machine Shop (PMS), which has been under continuous ownership and management by the Emmendorfer family since its inception in 1917. In 1954, Frank Jr. established Perryville Steel Products Co., when he received a franchise for the sale of Butler pre-engineered steel buildings. Subsequently, he served many years on the Butler National Advisory Council, commonly known as the Falcon Club. In 1979, PMS expanded their operation to Jackson, where Frank established Braswell Water Quality Systems. Through the years, he also maintained various real estate interests in Perry and Cape Girardeau counties.

Frank's Perryville affiliations include membership in American Legion Post 133, Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, 10-year board member of Perryville Development Corp., the board of trustees for Perry County Memorial Hospital, Knights of Columbus (4th degree) and Lions Club.

In 1980, Frank and Betty moved to Cape Girardeau and attended St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson. Frank served many years on the Notre Dame School Board and was instrumental in the school's progress. In 2011, the NDHS Foundation commemorated Frank's vision, faith and service by honoring him with an Annunciation Award for his participation in the "Margin of Excellence Campaign," an endeavor initiated in the 1980s that eventually brought about the establishment of the foundation.

Even though Frank was dedicated to his various business endeavors, family was his first priority. They remember him for teaching to them dedication to family, church, education and work. And they cherish memories of the opportunities they had to worship together, travel together, and Frank's all-time favorite activity -- everyone gathering at the family farm in Perryville.

Loving survivors include four children, Dan (Joyce) Emmendorfer III of Cape Girardeau, Marcia (John) Thompson and Paul (Beth) Emmendorfer of Jackson and Matt (Liz) Emmendorfer of Collierville, Tennessee; a son-in-law, Rick Ziegler of Jackson; 10 grandchildren, Angie (Ben) McKuin, Brian Emmendorfer (fiancee Candace Godwin), J.P. Thompson (fiancee Carter Vieira), Emily Thompson, Madison Scheper, Allison Ziegler, Margaret Emmendorfer, Anna Ziegler, Kate Emmendorfer and Sarah Emmendorfer; a great-granddaughter, McKenzie McKuin; and a brother, Ronald Emmendorfer.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by two children, Mary Ziegler and Mark Emmendorfer; six sisters; and his parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7:45 p.m. Monday at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Cape Girardeau. At 7:45 p.m., the family will remember Frank with a eulogy.

At 8 p.m., the Rev. David Hulshof will celebrate Mass. Burial will be private at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Alzheimer's Association.

Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

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