Ralph Lueders

Ralph James Lueders Sr., 88, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007, at Newton Wellesley Alzheimer's Center in Wellesley, Mass.

Mr. Lueders was born Sept. 18, 1918, at Edina, Mo., son of Herbert Louis and Adeline Florence Popp Lueders. He was the third of seven children.

He attended Northwestern University in Chicago, where he met his wife, Mercedes Charlotte Behrel. They married in 1941 and had two children. Mr. and Mrs. Lueders lived in the Chicago area 60 years.

Mr. Lueders was executive vice president of First Federal Savings & Loan in Chicago, and a member of its board of directors. He was also president of Home Owners Insurance Co., from which he retired. In addition, he was a member of the University Club of Chicago and a member of the Chicago Club.

He served with the U.S. Army and was stationed overseas during World War II.

He is survived by a son, Ralph James Lueders Jr. of Pine, Colo.; a daughter, Penelope Lueders of Cambridge, Mass.; a brother, Herbert Lueders of Lexington, Mich.; a sister, Clarisse Chism of Cape Girardeau; brothers, John and Julius Lueders of Cape Girardeau, Maurice Lueders of Hoffman Estates, Ill.; four grandchildren, Karl Lueders, Kurt Lueders, Lucy McMullen and Evelyn Lueders-Booth; and two great-grandchildren, Olivia Lueders and Matthew Lueders.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and eldest brother, Paul Lueders.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, with prayers at 5 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Old St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau, where Mr. Lueders was an active member. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park, with military rites by Missouri Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 36 Cameron Ave., Cambridge, Mass., 02140, or call (617) 868-6718.