RUSSELL WACHTER

Russell Morrison "Mutt" Wachter, 86, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2001, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

He was born Aug. 9, 1914, in Jackson, Mo., son of John and Emma Clementz Wachter. He and Sarah Kathleen Slinkard were married Jan. 19, 1935.

Wachter worked at Bauer Bakery, Rueseler's Chevrolet, and was a mechanic 37 years at Ford Groves, retiring in 1976.

He was an active member of Evangelical United Church of Christ, and Horseshoe Bend Fishing Club at Whitewater, Mo. He helped organize Southside Softball field.

Wachter served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard an LST 776 in the South Pacific, until being discharged Dec. 18, 1945.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter and son-in-law, Clodine and Gary Metje of Cape Girardeau; a son and daughter-in-law, Donald and Roselee Wachter of Overland Park, Kan.; grandchildren and spouses, Randy and Kim Metje of Fort Defiance, Va., Kirk and Kandee Metje of Cape Girardeau, Sara and Shannon Harrison of Belton, Mo., Todd and Shelly Metje of Independence, Mo., Rebecca Wachter of Overland Park, and Richard Wachter of Boulder, Colo.

Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Keri and Brad Metje of Fort Defiance, Katelyn and Kristopher Metje of Cape Girardeau, Jason Harrison of Benton, Joshua Metje and Cory and Justin Laykovich of Independence; a brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Wachter of Hollywood, Fla.; and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Robert Wachter of Fenton, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, and three sisters.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 4:30-8 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at noon Saturday at Evangelical United Church of Christ, 33 S. Ellis, Cape Girardeau. The Revs. James Caughlan, Ernest Jordan and David Schaffner will officiate. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park, with graveside rites by VFW Post 3838.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Evangelical United Church of Christ Memorial Fund.