GEORGE F. ROUSE

JACKSON -- George F. Rouse, 78, of Jackson, died Friday at the Lutheran Home.

Rouse was born on Nov. 12, 1917, in Webster Groves, to George and Mary Rouse. He was married Feb. 28, 1948 to Theresa Kaase in Granite City, Ill.

Rouse founded the Cape Girardeau County Private Ambulance Service in 1968. He formed the first Missouri State Ambulance Association and served as its first president.

Through this association, he was appointed to the Governor's Council for Emergency Medical Services by Gov. Kit Bond.

Rouse was co-author of Senate Bill 57, which later became the Revised Statute for Ambulance and Medical Personal Licensing. He was also a member of the National Ambulance Association.

He served in World War II in the military police as an investigator and was discharged in 1945 with the rank of sergeant.

Rouse was a police officer with the Kirkwood Police Department, steward of the Teamsters' Union and a graduate of the Highway Patrol Academy, serving with Troop C in the 1970s. He also served as coroner of Cape Girardeau County after selling the ambulance service in 1983. He was a deputy with Cape Girardeau County's Sheriff Department.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Donald F. Rouse of Arnold and David Rouse and Michael Rouse, both of Jackson; one brother, Frank Rouse of Kirkwood; one sister, Jane Rouse of Kirkwood; and five grandchildren.

Friends may call today from 5 to 8 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson, where he was a member.

Funeral services will be held at the church Monday at 10:30 a.m. with Monsignor Ed Eftink officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery.