MILTON NITSCH

JACKSON, Mo. -- Milton Nitsch, 78, of Jackson died Wednesday, March 21, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Friends may call at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson from 4-8 p.m. today. An American Legion Honor Guard service will be held at 7.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Rice officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery, with graveside service by Missouri Honor Guard.

Nitsch was born Oct. 25,1922, in Cape Girardeau, son of Leo and Zola Masterson Nitsch. He and Verna Lee Gartung were married April 30, 1950, at Zion Methodist Church in Gordonville, Mo.

Loving survivors include his wife; three daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy A. and Keith Raganyi, Lynette and Jay Moore, and Rhonda and Brandon Norman, all of Jackson; a sister, Doris Stout of Jefferson City, Mo.; two grandchildren, Landry James Moore and Randa Lee Norman; two stepgrandchildren, Jacob and Faith Raganyi.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Debbie; a brother, and a sister.

Mr. Nitsch was a 1940 graduate of Jackson High School. He was a lifetime family farmer, and worked 25 years as a field agent for the ASCS Office. He was co-owner of Brennecke Chevrolet Dealership in Jackson from 1985-91, and was currently president of Brennecke Chevrolet Co. Inc.

Mr. Nitsch was inducted into the U.S. Army in December 1943, and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He was honorably discharged as a tech sergeant in November 1946.

He was a member of MFA Oil Board, 51-year member and past commander of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson, and member of VFW in Cape Girardeau. He was a charter member of the Honor Guard, and former commander of the 14th District.

Mr. Nitsch strongly supported the American Legion Baseball Team, assisted with bingo, and served many years as a representative to Jackson Homecomers.

He was a volunteer at Missouri Veterans Home, and was to receive Volunteer of the Year recognition April 6. He was a member of SEMO Boosters Club, and a member of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson many years.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Jackson High School Scholarship Fund, Jackson American Legion Baseball Team, or New McKendree United Methodist Church.