Grada Naeter

Grada M. "Babe" Naeter, 87, of Cape Girardeau passed away Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2004, at her home.

She was born Feb. 4, 1917, in the state of Mississippi, daughter of Grady and Reba Harmon. She and Harry A. Naeter Jr. were married May 18, 1937, in Pinckneyville, Ill. He died Feb. 16, 1994.

Mr. Naeter was a member of the family who founded the Southeast Missourian, and was owner and publisher of the newspaper from 1965 to 1976.

Survivors include three children, George (Doris) Naeter of Plano, Texas, Diane (Ken) Bryan of Cape Girardeau, Fred (Nancy) Naeter of Cape Girardeau; two daughters-in-law, Debbie Baker Naeter and Judi Naeter of Cape Girardeau.

Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, Stephen Naeter of Cape Girardeau, Christina Onnybecker of Benton, Ky., Denise Hutchison of Ridgeville, S.C., Georgia Braucksick of St. Charles, Mo., Scott Bryan of Kirkwood, Mo., Shawn Naeter of Cape Girardeau, Melissa DeLong of Franklin, Tenn., Todd Naeter of Franklin, Travis Naeter of Franklin, Fred Christopher Naeter of Jackson, Amy Scott of Troy, Mo., and Autumn Demopoulos of Cape Girardeau. There are nine great-granddaughters and two great-grandsons.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; three sons, Harry Naeter III, Robert Naeter and Christopher Naeter; and a sister, Christina Murray.

Mrs. Naeter was a member of Wednesday Club, member and held statewide offices of Town and Country Garden Club, 70-year member of Centenary United Methodist Church, and was an avid bridge player.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. James Sanderson officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be the six grandsons, and honorary pallbearers will be the six granddaughters.

Memorials may be made to Southeast Hospice.