KELSO, Mo. -- George Sylvester Bles, 97, of Kelso died Friday, June 17, 2016, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.
He was born April 14, 1919, in Scott County, Missouri, the son of Otto Ambrose and Bertha Rose Vetter Bles. He married Vernita Marie Compass on April 30, 1946, in Kelso. She preceded him in death Oct. 3, 2002.
George was a farmer. He was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council No. 6420 and St. Joseph 4th Degree Assembly No. 2283.
He is survived by two sons, Francis (Anna Rose) Bles of Kelso and Dennis (Tina) Bles of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Mary Ann (Ken) Ostendorf of Cape Girardeau and Jane (David) Rumping of Festus, Missouri; one sister, Hermina Westrich of Kelso; 13 grandchildren, Mike and Dan Bles, Kristie (Jason) Slinkard, Lori (David) Blechle, Ann (Richard Lambert) Ostendorf, Jill (Joe) Murphree, Mark (Natalie Hamrick) Ostendorf, Nicholas (Christine) Ostendorf, Jason Bles, Jordan (Sara) Bles, Justin, Kaitlyn and Luke Rumping; and 11 great-grandchildren, with one more expected in July.
He also was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Helen Bles; two sisters, Cecelia Bles and Sister Anna Rose Bles; and two grandchildren, Jennifer Ireland and John Ostendorf.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m., followed by a Knights of Columbus prayer service.
Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church, celebrated by the Rev. Joseph Weidenbenner. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Notre Dame Foundation, St. Augustine School Project or the Jennifer Ireland Foundation, 605 S.W. U.S. Highway 40, No. 225, Blue Springs, MO 64014.
Online condolences may be shared at www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.
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