Karl Westrich

Karl J. Westrich, 64, of Cape Girardeau passed away Saturday, June 1, 2024, at his home, surrounded by loved ones, including his dog, Rocky, and his mother’s dog, Buddy.

Karl was born Oct. 10, 1959, in Cape Girardeau to the late Joseph F. and Theresa C. Bucher Westrich.

He developed a strong work ethic at the very young age of 12, which continued throughout his life. It began with chopping weeds in cornfields for Harold Menz Farms near New Hamburg, picking fruit and vegetables at Diebold’s Orchard in Kelso and cooking steaks at Ponderosa Steakhouse, followed by employment at Procter & Gamble, tending bar for his parents during their ownership of Schindler’s Tavern (Home of the Bologna Burger) and lastly working as a carpenter for Millwrights Local No. 1529 until he became disabled.

Karl was a master landscaper. Other interests and hobbies included tinkering on cars or anything else that was motorized, owning top-of-the-line stereos and speakers, skiing and boating at his property at Lake of the Ozarks, street racing his “hot rod” cars, creating specialty recipes using his home-built smokers and cruising on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Survivors include his girlfriend, Mary Fulmer of Cape Girardeau; daughter, Karrie Moeckel-Moll Westrich of Chesterfield; two sisters, Sandra (Howie) Bollinger of Benton and Stephanie (Russell) Burger of New Hamburg; three nieces, Camille (Chris Murphy) Bollinger, Kristain (Tom) Carroll and Summer (Nathan) Meystedt; two nephews, Major (Monica) Burger and Dietrich (Janetta) Bollinger; four great-nieces, Mila Burger, Merci Jo Burger, Vera Carroll and Calleigh Bollinger; and three great-nephews, Kamden Bollinger, Tristen Masters and Knox Carroll.

Prayer service will begin at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee. Visitation will immediately follow until 8 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 6, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg, with the Rev. Daniel Belken officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family requests donations be made to St. Lawrence Catholic Church, P.O. BOX 247, Benton, MO 63736.

Online condolences may be shared at www.amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.