Nelson Elbrecht

Nelson Leroy "Pops" Elbrecht, 79, of Jackson passed away Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Nov. 3, 1936, the son of Norbert and Ruby Dambach Elbrecht. He and Marga Vogentanz Hobeck were married Feb. 29, 1988.

Nelson, or "Pops" as he was known, was inducted into the U.S. Army on Jan. 5, 1955. He served for 20 years and was honorably discharged Feb. 1, 1975, as a SFC E-7. He had foreign service in Korea, Germany, Vietnam and Okinawa.

He was the former owner/operator of the Starlight Tavern and was a member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 138 in Jackson.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Marga; three sons, Norman and Ronald Elbrecht, both of Millersville, and Paul Elbrecht of Sedgewickville, Missouri; two sisters, Laverne Ahrens and Shirley (Charles) Myers, both of Oak Ridge; four stepchildren, Barbara (Matt) Berry of Belleville, Illinois, Harold "Fritz" Hobeck of Jackson, Diane (Stan) Blankenship of Oak Ridge and Ronnie Hobeck of Jackson; 15 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation for Pops will be from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating.

Burial will be at New Salem Methodist Cemetery in Daisy.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson.

Online condolences may be made at mccombsfuneralhome.com.