Harlan Hager

Harlan P. "Bud" Hager, 87, of Jackson died Thursday, July 25, 2013, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 27, 1925, in Gordonville to Arthur J. and Clara A. Probst Hager. Bud graduated from Jackson High School in 1944 and attended Southeast Missouri State University.

He and Betty Jean Story were married Sept. 8, 1945, at Springfield, Mo. She passed away March 26, 1997.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army in three major battles, including the Battle of the Bulge in Germany. He was a lifetime member and past commander of VFW Post 3838 and a member of Jackson American Legion Post 158, Jackson Elks Lodge 2652 and Cape Girardeau Eagles 3775.

Mr. Hager was a dairy farmer in the Gordonville area more than 49 years and served as past president of the Missouri Holstein Association. He also was co-owner of Mid-America Electric.

He was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville and was a past board member and president of the church. He also attended Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. He was past president and board member for the Jackson School Board.

Survivors include two sons, Steven W. Hager of Altenburg, Mo., and Phillip J. (Sheila) Hager of Jackson; a daughter, Allison Jean (Carlton) Thoma of Jackson; two sisters, Marion Blattner of Gordonville and Dorris (Bill) Sawyer of Hillsboro, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Dr. Kory (Kim) Thoma and Kyle (Calli) Thoma of Cape Girardeau, Jeffrey (Leslie) Hager of Jackson, Lt. Commander Kara (Jason) King of Chugiak, Alaska, Daniel (Angela) Hager of San Antonio, Rachel Hager of Olathe, Kan., and Megan (Marc) Ashby of Fenton, Mo.; 10 great-grandchildren, Justice Thoma, Judd Thoma, Jory Thoma, Braedon Thoma, Kolton Thoma, Easton Thoma, Blake Hager, Izobel Hager, Cooper Ashby and Sloan King; one expected great-grandson in September, Triston Hager; and dear companion Bobbie Pierce of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and two brothers, Louis and Kenneth Hager.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. The funeral will be at 9 a.m. Monday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel, with the Rev. Jim Woeltje and VFW Post 3838 officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military honors by the Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to the VFW Post 3838 Building Fund or Crown Hospice. Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.