Joseph Schaefer

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Joseph Ray Schaefer, 78, of Sikeston, Mo., died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2003, at his home in Sikeston following an extended illness.

He was born June 15, 1924, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., son of Martin and Anna McBride Schaefer. He and Laura Elizabeth Henry were married Aug. 17, 1946 in St. Louis.

Schaefer was a postal carrier for 32 years with the post office in Sikeston and a rural newspaper carrier for the Sikeston Standard-Democrat newspaper.

Schaefer was a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Sikeston and attended school at St. Francis Xavier Parish School as a youth. He also had been a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3151, the American Legion Post 114, and the VFW Post 3174, all in Sikeston.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and participated in the D-Day invasion on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. He also fought in other battles in Normandy, Central Europe, Rhineland, Northern France and the Ardenees. He received five bronze stars and also was presented a replica of the Jubilee Victory Medal of France.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Terry Schaefer of Sikeston; two daughters, Brenda Hale of Sikeston and Jackie Davis of Benton, Mo.; two brothers Robert Schaefer and Patrick Schaefer, both of St. Louis; two sisters, Alma York of Sikeston and Peggy Dyer of Danville, Ill.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel, where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. The funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, with Rev. Stephen Schneider officiating.

Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sikeston.