Geraldine Kassel

Geraldine Norma "Jerri" Starzinger Godwin Kassel, 79, of Cape Girardeau passed away Thursday, June 8, 2006, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born Jan. 28, 1927, in Egypt Mills, daughter of the late Fred and Alma Steinhoff Starzinger. She and Lyman Godwin were married Sept. 2, 1950, at First Baptist Church in Jackson. He passed away May 22, 1963. On June 10, 1978, she and Lawrence Kassel were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Egypt Mills. He passed away March 3, 1996.

Jerri graduated from Jackson High School in 1945. She worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. in Cape Girardeau and Jackson for 15 years. She later worked at several prominent stores in Cape Girardeau as a fashion consultant. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Jackson and had been attending Cape Bible Chapel.

She served as a Girl Scout leader, and was a member of VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, and Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary of Cape Girardeau. She was also a Red Cross volunteer.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Jane Moore and husband Martin of Bartlesville, Okla., Ann Lunsford and husband Kenneth of Houston, Texas; a step-son, Michael Kassel of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, Kelsey and Jillian Moore of Bartlesville, Tim Lunsford of Cape Girardeau, and Kara Lunsford of Columbia, Mo.; a brother, Don and Judy Starzinger of Jackson; and a sister, Marjorie Wills of Jackson. She is also survived by a special friend and neighbor, Norma Deck of Cape Girardeau.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Glen and Roland Starzinger.

Visitation will be Sunday from 12 to 2 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Patrick Tankersley officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to First Baptist Church of Jackson or Cape Bible Chapel.