Gilbert Richter

JACKSON, Mo. -- Mr. Gilbert Martin Richter, 91, passed away Monday, Jan. 28, 2002, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

Friends may call Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 4 to 8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

Funeral service will be Thursday, Jan. 31, at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by interment in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson. The Rev. David Johnson will officiate.

Gilbert was born Jan. 17, 1911, at New Wells, Mo., son of Martin and Ida Grebing Richter. On Feb. 11, 1940, he married Olivia Popp. She passed away July 15, 1970. He then married Florence Reed on May 23, 1975. She passed away July 22, 2001.

Loving survivors include a son, Merlin Richter of St. Louis; a daughter and son-in-law, Helen and Leon Laurentius of Jackson; a stepson, Larry Reid of Oak Ridge, Mo.; a stepdaughter, Betty Borgfield and husband Terry of Jackson; and a brother, Walter Richter of Orlando, Fla.

Also surviving is a grandson, Paul Laurentius and wife Susan of Jackson; a granddaughter, Laura Klinkhardt and husband Gary of Jackson; four great-grandchildren, Brandon and Dawson Klinkhardt, Chelsey Jo and Morgan Laurentius; seven stepgrandchildren; and nine great-stepgrandchildren.

Four brothers and four sisters preceded Mr. Richter in death.

Gilbert and Olivia lived and farmed many years at Frohna, Mo., during which time he also worked as a stacker at East Perry Lumber. In 1965 they moved to Jackson, becoming members of St. Paul Lutheran congregation, and Gilbert worked at Brennecke Chevrolet. After his retirement from Brennecke's, he worked at the former Leming Lumber Co. in south Cape Girardeau.

After Gilbert and Florence were married, they resided many years in Cape Girardeau, moving to Jackson in 1992.

Gilbert's family will remember him as a quiet, loving and faithful father, who was happiest when his mind was occupied and his hands were busy. In his later years he took great pleasure in gardening and daily walks around Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the St. Paul Building Fund or Organ Fund.