Leo Amelunke Jr.

Leo William Amelunke Jr., 87, of Cape Girardeau passed away Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, at the Lutheran Home.

He was born June 21, 1928, in Gordonville to Leo William Amelunke Sr. and Elma Painter Amelunke.

He was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Gordonville. He graduated from Delta High School as salutatorian of the class of 1945 and went to work for Little River Drainage District the next week.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from November 1950 until August 1952, attaining the rank of sergeant first class.

Leo and Marilyn Willer were married Aug. 31, 1952, in Cape Girardeau. They were blessed with one son, Mark. The couple owned and operated Tinsley Appliance Center, retiring in 1999. Leo was with the business 44 years.

He was a member of the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Merchants Association, the Evening Optimists and VFW Post 3838. He belonged to Trinity Lutheran Church, was a 50-year member of Trinity's Men's Club, served as an elder of the church and was Trinity's delegate to the Lutheran Home from 1989 to 2000.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of the home; a son, Mark, daughter-in-law, Vanessa, and beloved grandchildren, Sarah and Josh, all of The Woodlands, Texas; a brother, Eldon, and his wife, Alice, of Phoenix; sisters-in-law, Anne Amelunke of Cape Girardeau and Cora Amelunke Patterson of Natchez, Mississippi; eight nephews and nieces; and many treasured friends.

Leo was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers, Marvin, Glenn, Robert and Hubert.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home and from 9 a.m. until time of service Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Churcgh.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with pastor Douglas Breite officiating. Entombment with military honors will be at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorials may take the form of contributions in Leo's name to Trinity Lutheran Church, 100 N. Frederick St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or to the American Cancer Society (restriction Research: All Types/Organs), P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1538.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.