John Uptain

John Dwight Uptain, age 80, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Oran, Mo., died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002, at The Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born in Clarksville, Ark., on Feb. 22, 1922, to the late John Wesley and Martha Isabell Boen Uptain. He married Pat Howell on June 8, 1952, and she survives of the home.

John served as a sergeant in the United States Army during World War II. He was in the 7th Army Division of Reconnaissance. While he was in the European countries, he was a recipient of two Bronze Stars.

In the summer of 2001, he received a World War II Veteran Recognition Medal. He worked as a postal clerk for 36 years in the Oran and Cape Girardeau Post offices, retiring in 1982.

He was a member of the Maple United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. John was a 32nd-degree mason in the Morley Masonic Lodge 184, receiving his 50-year pin in 2001. He was a Scottish Rite 32nd-degree in St. Louis.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Bryan Uptain of Cape Girardeau; one daughter, Laura Robinson of Fellows, Calif.; three brothers, Claude Uptain of Phoenix, Ariz., James Uptain of Magalia, Calif., and Walter Uptain of Weatherford, Texas; two sisters, Katherine Pearson of Lakewood, Calif., and Betty Kelly of Collinston, La.; three grandsons, Nicholas and Clayton Uptain of Cape Girardeau and Ethan Robinson of Fellows.

Six brothers and a sister also preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at the Maple United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, where friends may call at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Service time will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. James Cooper officiating.

Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee is in charge of arrangements.

The family would like donations to be made to Maple United Methodist Church, the Missouri Veterans Home or the American Cancer Society.