Joe Ludwig

Joseph Edwin "Joe" Ludwig, 88, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Aug. 30, 1925, near Pocahontas, to Edwin and Dora Tuschhoff Ludwig. He and Loustell A. Aufdenberg were married June 1, 1958, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit. They celebrated 55 years of marriage in June 2013.

Joe was baptized Sept. 27, 1925, at the home of his parents, and confirmed April 10, 1938, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.

He raised livestock and crops on the family farm many years, and was a bus driver with Jackson schools 22 years. Joe was a lifelong, active member of St. John's Church and served on the church council and various other committees.

Loving survivors include his wife; four children, Brenda (Pat) Wissman of Cape Girardeau, Gary (Catherine) Ludwig and Ruth (Dennis) Moran of Patton, Mo., and Beverly (Darren) Ross of Stevensville, Mich.; 10 grandchildren, Amanda Wissman, Bob (Amber) Ludwig, Greg Ludwig, Alex (Liana) Bazzanella, Marissa (Dwayne) Cossins, Christopher Ludwig, Blake, Nathan and Zachary Ross and Abby Moran; seven great-grandchildren, Alexa and Lyulf Schniedermeyer, Trevor Wissman, Jesse and Carson Ludwig, and Kyle and Ava Bazzanella; a sister-in-law, Nelda Ludwig of Pocahontas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ervin Ludwig; and a sister, Linda Petzoldt.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and from 9 a.m. until service time Saturday at St. John's Church.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Bruce Ritter officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. John's Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.

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