Louis Hartje Jr.

Louis H. Hartje Jr., 91, of Jackson passed away Saturday, May 9, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 21, 1923, in Chester, Illinois, to Louis and Esther Herberts Hartje. He and Mary R. Morgan were married Sept. 15, 1950, in Chester. They had been married nearly 50 years when she passed away Aug. 18, 2000.

Louis was raised in the Chester community, where he was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church, and graduated from Chester High School.

He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force, serving honorably from March 9, 1943, until being discharged Dec. 14, 1945, as a sergeant.

Upon returning home from the service, he enjoyed a 44-year career with the former International Shoe Co. In 1966 he and his family moved to Jackson, retiring as office manager in 1986. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

Loving survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Jerry and Luanne Hartje of North Barrington, Illinois; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Don Hinkebein of Jackson; five grandchildren, Kyle (Julie) Hartje, Kara (Travis) Berth, Emily (Joe) Mattes, Laura Olson and fiance Chad Behnen, and Sarah (Eric) Minor; two great-grandchildren, Ruth and Aaron Hartje; a sister, Loretta Feldt of Belleville, Illinois; a sister-in-law, Ruby (the late William) Hartje of DuQuoin, Illinois; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Melba Lippert; and two brothers, Walter and William R.F. "Bud" Hartje.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Friday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jason Shaw officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.