John Mehrle Jr.

John F. Mehrle Jr., 84, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, at home, surrounded by his wife and sister-in-law, Shirley Knupp.

He was born May 9, 1928, in Cape Girardeau, to the late John F. and Pansie Delores Hunt Mehrle. He and Wanda Jean Smith, aka Nina Mae, were married Nov. 14, 1952.

John grew up in Cape Girardeau and was educated in the Cape Girardeau Public Schools and at Southeast Missouri State University.

He worked at Broadway Fruit Market and Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. and was employed in the accounting department at the Southeast Missourian 39 years, retiring in 1995. As a lifetime member of Grace United Methodist Church, he served in a variety of positions, most active in its music ministry, vocal choir for more than 50 years, Grace Notes, Bells of Grace (both handbell choirs) and the Agape Ensemble.

Some of his affiliations were St. Mark's Lodge 93 A.F.&A.M., B.P.O. Elks Lodge 639 and Cape Girardeau Noon Lions Club. He played in the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band and was a longtime member of Cape Choraliers, who went to the World's Fair in Seattle.

He served in the U.S. Naval Reserve eight years and was called to active duty during the Korean conflict.

John enjoyed ballroom dancing, especially dancing a cha-cha to "Tea for Two," or dancing a graceful waltz. He also liked solving the world's problems with his coffee buddies six days a week.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years; a daughter, Jennifer Anne (Bart) Byrum of Jackson; a daughter-in-law, Donna Mehrle of Jefferson City, Mo.; and four grandsons, Landon, Trenton and Mason Byrum of Jackson and Andrew Mehrle of Jefferson City.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Randy Len on Oct. 5, 2012.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park, with military graveside rites to be conducted.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Grace United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.