Joseph & Nelda Eggers

Joseph Frederick Gilbert Eggers, 86, and his wife Nelda Ruth Eggers, 82, died Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2006. He died at home on the family farm near Jackson, and she died at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Mr. Eggers was born Dec. 8, 1919, at Delta, son of Myron Clelland and Flora Kathleen Koehler Eggers. Mrs. Eggers was born Aug. 31, 1923, at Oriole, daughter of Albert and Nellie Armstrong McLain. They were married May 9, 1947.

He had worked at International Shoe Co. in Jackson, Trail of Tears State Park, retired from MFA in 1985 and raised cattle on the family farm. He was a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church, 50-year member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 and was one of the founders of Fruitland Volunteer Fire Department.

He served with the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific Theater and was awarded two Bronze Stars.

Mrs. Eggers had been a switchboard operator with Bell Telephone in Jackson, secretary at Jackson High School, and retired from Jackson Manor in 1990. She was a member of New McKendree and MFA Ladies Auxiliary.

They are survived by three daughters, Saundra Jo (Joe) Miller of Granbury, Texas, Patty S. (Harold) Rubel of Cape Girardeau, Martha A. (Mark) Skinner of Jackson; five grandchildren, Heather Crow, Rebecca Miller, Joey and Hunter Rubel, Ashley Skinner; and a great-grandchild, Audrey Crow.

He is also survived by three sisters, Elizabeth Szwabo of Florissant, Mo., Madonna Englehart of Cape Girardeau, and Dorothy Pfeiffer of Jackson.

Mrs. Eggers is also survived by a sister, Evelyn Woods of Granite City, Ill.

They were preceded in death by a grandchild. He was also preceded in death by a brother, William, and two sisters, Evelyn and Sarah. She was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph.

Friends may call at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Rice and the Rev. Jimmie Corbin officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery with military honors to be conducted.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Southeast Hospice.