Jerome Westrich

Jerome Westrich

Jerome F. Westrich, 90, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, May 15, 2009, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 22, 1918, in New Hamburg, Mo., son of David P and Clara Klipfel Westrich. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Frank and Louise Klipfel. He and Ruth E. Joyce were married May 25, 1938, at Guardian Angel Catholic Church in Oran, Mo.

He was a 1936 graduate of Oran High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of St. Mary Cathedral. He was a 4th Degree with St. Vincent Council 1111 Knights of Columbus. He was sales manager for Superior Electric in Cape Girardeau more than 30 years, sales manager for Marvin Industry, and sales manager for Oscarware in Cape Girardeau, retiring in 1998.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Westrich of Cape Girardeau; a son, Larry Westrich and wife Stephanie of Cape Girardeau; four daughters, Glenda Bollinger and husband Ben of Cape Girardeau, Carolyn Vaughn and husband Lt. Gen. Clyde Vaughn of Washington, D.C., Clara Scherer and husband Pat of Portageville, Mo., Vicki Sledge and husband Bob of Centralia, Ill.; and a brother, Jim Westrich of Middletown, Calif.

Westrich is also survived by 17 grandchildren: Sherri and Cliff Simmons, Peggy and Gary Garner, Gerri Bollinger, Carla and Marty Pope, Kristi and Bob Meltvedt, Maj. Chad and Jen Vaughn, Todd Scherer, Nicki Scherer, Travis and Luella Scherer, Danny Scherer, Marci and Ben Ceglinski, Andy Lankheit, David Lankheit, Kaci Westrich, Austin Westrich, Jessica Westrich and Connor Westrich; also 11 great-grandchildren and two on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, William F. Westrich; a sister, Olivia Schaefer; and a great-granddaughter.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, with parish prayers at 7 p.m. followed immediately by Knights of Columbus rosary conducted by St. Vincent Council 1111.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary Cathedral, with the Rev. Tom Kiefer and Msgr. Richard Rolwing officiating.

Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, with full military rites by Missouri Honors Team.

The family requests memorials to St. Louis Children's Hospital or St. Mary Cathedral Building on Faith Fund.