George Roussell

George R. Roussell, 94, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born Dec. 19, 1914, in Chicago, the son of George J. and Nellie Mary Prince Roussell.

He and Ada Dohogne were married Oct. 27, 1956, at Cape Girardeau. She died Feb. 11, 2000.

Roussell retired from the Navy after 28 years. He served during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was a chief builder with the Navy Seabees. From 1956 to 1957, he was a member of the mobile construction battalion that went to the Antarctic Deep Freeze II Operation in the South Pole. He also served two tours of recruiting duty in the Cape area and received a letter of commendation from the Ninth Naval Distrist for his effort and dedication to duty by consistently meeting or exceeding established goals as a Naval Reserve canvasser-recruiter.

He was a member of Old St. Vincent Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 1111, Thomas A. Langen Assembly, Fourth Degree, and VFW Post 3838.

Survivors include his half-brother, Charles E. "Chuck" Laffey of Indianapolis; four half-sisters, Patricia Wentz and Mary Beyer of Knox, Ind., Marlene Shaffer of Riviera, Ariz., and Margaret Allen of DeLong, Ind.

He was preceded in death by his wife, a daughter, parents and a sister.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. Parish prayers will be at 7 with Knights of Columbus rosary immediately following.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Old St. Vincent Catholic Church, with the Rev. Tom Kiefer officiating.

Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Cape Girardeau. Military rites will be provided by Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to Old St. Vincent Catholic Church or St. Mary Cathedral.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.