Joseph Koelzer

Joseph Lonnie Koelzer, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, July 16, 2007, at the Lutheran Home.

He was born Feb. 27, 1929, in Cape Girardeau, son of Joseph A. and Beulah W. Bowerman Koelzer. He and Shirley C. Griffith were married July 15, 1950, in Piggott, Ark.

He graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1947, and served in the Navy Reserve.

Koelzer was employed in the maintenance department at Southeast Missouri State University, retiring in 1989. Before that he worked at Superior Electric Co.

He was a member of Eagles Aerie 3775, and former member of Elks Lodge 639.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Mary R. Smith of Gordonville; three brothers, Norman and Ralph Craig of Cape Girardeau, Rodney Craig of Cornelia, Ga.; a sister, Jean Tucker of Pevely, Mo.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter and a sister.

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

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. William Hennecke officiating. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.