Harold Ruesler

Harold A. Ruesler, 87, of Jackson passed away Thursday, Aug. 16, 2018, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Oct. 15, 1930, in Friedheim to Arthur and Anna C. Dickman Ruesler. He and Rose Mary Bohnert were married Oct. 20, 1956, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friedheim, also the church of his baptism and confirmation.

Harold was raised on the family farm in Friedheim and attended the former Trinity Lutheran School. He was a private first-class in the U.S. Army, serving honorably from Oct. 31, 1951, to October 12, 1953. He was stationed in Germany and was a telegraph operator in the signal corps.

Harold drove a truck and was a warehouse man, working 30 years for the former Wetterau Foods-SuperValue Inc., retiring in 1994. He was active in Teamsters Local 574, serving as a union steward and on the board.

He was a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and previously enjoyed singing in the choir.

Loving survivors include his wife of nearly 62 years, Rose Mary Ruesler of Jackson; three children, Keith (Marie) Ruesler of Jackson, Kim (Eric) Weir of Fenton, Missouri, and Kendra Ruesler of St. Louis; six grandchildren, Annette (Mike) Engelen, Leah (Brad) Lappe, Natalie and Zackary Ruesler and Brittney and Brandon Weir; seven great-grandchildren, Kelby, Cora, Trustin, Kamden, Ella, Angelo and Lucille "Lucy"; a sister, Virgie (Harold) Schubert of Perryville, Missouri; a brother-in-law, Michael (Judy) Bohnert of Perryville; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings, Wilbert (Ida), Norman (Phyllis) and Rupert (Betty) Ruesler and Verna (Marvin) Best.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Eric Longman officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

The family appreciates memorials to music ministry of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson; music ministry of Peace Lutheran Church, 737 Barracksview Road, St. Louis, MO 63125; Lutheran Hour Ministries; or Jackson Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.