Howard Tooke

Howard C. Tooke, 88, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, April 16, 2006, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Feb. 1, 1918, in Piedmont, Mo., son of the late Robert and Tuni Duncan Tooke. He and Frances Hoefer were married Feb. 24, 1938, in Cape Girardeau.

Mr. Tooke served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of First Baptist Church, a past honoree of the Rush Limbaugh Award, was past president and served on the board of Southeast Missouri Hospital, board of First Federal Savings and Loan, past president and served on the board of Missouri Municipal League, member of National League of Cities, member of Missouri Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, served on the board of Lagers, and past president of M.E. Leming Lumber Co.

Mr. Tooke served as mayor of Cape Girardeau from April 1970 to April 1978 and from April 1981 to April 1986. He was a city councilman from December 1968 to April 1986.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, James Tooke of Memphis, Tenn., Bob Tooke of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; a daughter, Pat Moore of Los Gatos, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lee Tooke; three sisters, Alene Abernathy, Lucille McCamy, Marie Fowler, and infant twins, Alma and Carl Tooke.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home today from 4 to 8 p.m.

The funeral will be held at the funeral home Thursday at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Mike Shupert officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 1289 Lexington, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.