Howard Gregory

Howard Eugene Gregory, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, at the Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born July 18, 1931, in Cape Girardeau to Wesley "Bill" and Ollie Matlock Gregory. He and Betty Goff were married June 7, 1955, in Cape Girardeau.

Howard joined the Army on Jan. 30, 1951, and served stateside as a paratrooper. He was honorably discharged Jan. 29, 1954, and was awarded the National Defense Medal, Parachute Badge and Good Conduct Medal.

He was an electrician with IBEW Local 1. He also worked for General Sign and installed the Pizza Inn man at the former Pizza Inn on Clark Street off Broadway. After retirement, he enjoyed spending time and caring for his cattle on his farm at Neelys Landing.

Howard was a member of TPA, and formerly a member of Eagles Aerie 3775 and Elks Lodge 639.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Betty Gregory of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Cathy Dirnberger (Butch) of Oran, Missouri, and Karen Gregory (Rhonda Whitworth) of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Wesley Gregory of Cape Girardeau; four sisters, Betty Farrow of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Pat Lewallen of Arnold, Missouri, Carol Bauer (Lloyd) of Kankakee, Illinois, and Ruth Dowler of Columbus, Ohio; three granddaughters, Sara Maschmann (Elliot) and Katie Heisserer (Chris Graviett) of Oran and Tori Ourth of Cape Girardeau; two stepgrandsons, Shaun Dirnberger (Lori) and Shane Dirnberger (Karen) of Oran; a great-stepgrandson, Cody Dirnberger (fiancee Brittney) of Oran.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. until service time Thursday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Ed Stoner officiating. A committal service will be at 3 p.m. at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, with full military rites by the Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Crown Hospice or Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.