Gene Sample

C.E. "Gene" Sample, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, at the Lutheran Home.

He was born Feb. 12, 1926, in Sedgewickville, Mo., to William R. and Reva G. Niswonger Sample. He and Ruth M. Kasten were married Oct. 17, 1948, at Pocahontas.

Gene was a graduate of Patton High School.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He served in the invasion of Southern France and was in the Naval Reserve five years.

Sample worked for Hutson Furniture Co. 42 years as a salesman and buyer, retiring in 1997. During his retirement years he enjoyed driving cars for many car dealerships in Cape Girardeau. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and VFW Post 3838.

Some of the greatest times in Gene's life was taking the family on vacations. One of the best vacations was to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth M. Sample of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Susan (Fred) Vincel and Nancy (Marty) Niswonger of Cape Girardeau; three grandchildren, Amber (Tim) Horrell, Crystal (Aaron) Williams and Andrea (Justin) Savat; six great-grandchildren, Owen, Luke and Carolina Horrell, Laikyn Williams, Hunter Welker and Roman Savat; two brothers, Roger (Maria) Sample of Charleston, S.C., Jim (Nancy) Koetting of Fulton, Mo.; two sisters, Marjorie Swan of Pocahontas and Shirley Young of Scott City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, George Sample; and a son-in-law, Boyd Morton.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, with the Rev. Nathan Burgell officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park, with full military honors by Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, 100 N. Frederick St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.