Martin VanGennip

Martin F. "Junior" VanGennip, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Saint Francis Medical Center.

He was born Nov. 15, 1927, in Lutesville, Mo., to Martin H. and Rose C. Heimsath VanGennip. Junior was married to Janie M. Laurentius Feb. 23, 1952. She preceded him in death in January 2006.

Junior was a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Japan. He was a member of American Legion Post 158.

Prior to his career as a diesel mechanic, he delivered gas for Standard Oil in Lutesville. Junior worked for Harris Truck and Trailer Sales 37 years and for Genesis Transportation until he retired. After retiring, he worked with his son at Jansen Tractor Sales Inc.

His favorite hobbies were hunting, fishing and woodworking. He was the man who could fix anything, and he loved being a handyman and mechanic to anyone in need.

He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau and an active member of St. Vincent's Men's Association.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Bonita VanGennip of Cape Girardeau; a daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Philip A. Cantoni of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Matt) Pobst, Kristen VanGennip, Erika and Nick Cantoni all of Cape Girardeau.

Also surviving are Junior's brother and sister-in-law, John and Wilma VanGennip of Leopold, Mo.; a brother, Edward VanGennip of St. Louis; a sister, Rose Marie Laurentius of Cape Girardeau; five nephews, four nieces and many loving friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Mary Laurentius of Bloomfield, Mo.; two infant brothers, Henry and Theodore; an infant granddaughter, Melissa VanGennip; a brother-in-law, Alfred Laurentius of Cape Girardeau; and two nephews, Ray Laurentius of Cape Girardeau and Steve VanGennip of Leopold.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, with parish prayers and a rosary at 7.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Vincent de Paul Church, with the Rev. David Hulshof officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Graveside military rites will be provided by Missouri Honors Team.

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to St. Vincent's Men's Association, Notre Dame Regional High School or the Missouri Veterans Home.