Max Stovall

Max G. Stovall, 87, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Southeast Hospital.

He was born, May 2, 1924, in Cape Girardeau, son of James H. and Elizabeth Randol Stovall. He and Evelyn Pletcher Stovall were married March 29, 1947, at Cape Girardeau.

Stovall was a graduate of Cape Central High School and attended Southeast Missouri State University for three years. He was a veteran, serving in World War II in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe where he was awarded five bronze stars.

He owned and operated Max Stovall Excavating, Co., Stovall & Williams Land Development Co. and Max Stovall Construction, which helped in the building of several subdivisions and custom homes in Cape Girardeau. Stovall also purchased Guth Brothers Block & Brick in Cape Girardeau and Poplar Bluff Block & Brick out of Poplar Bluff, Mo., which he changed to Stovall Block & Brick.

He was the city street commissioner in the 1950s and later the county commissioner. He was a large contributor in the construction of the city floodwall, Capaha Pool and the Jaycees golf course.

He was a member of First Church of the Nazarene, American Legion Post 63, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, VFW and the Jaycees Golf Club. He was a member of the Southeast Hospital board for many years and was later given the honorary lifetime member designation by the board. He was a member of the Masonic order.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Stovall of Cape Girardeau; son, Mark (Jane) Stovall of Egypt Mills; daughter, Nancy (Tom) Ross Jr. of St. Louis; three grandchildren, Gina Henry of St. Louis, Cody Stovall and Kate Stovall of Cape Girardeau; two great-grandchildren, Lauren Henry of St. Louis and Lane Conrad of Cape Girardeau; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Maxine Jean Stovall; parents; six brothers; and five sisters.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

A private graveside service will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery, with the Rev. Jason Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be given to American Cancer Society, 106 Farrar Drive, Suite 104, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

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