Theodore 'T.J.' Blattel

Theodore J. "T.J." Blattel, 83, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, at Southeast Hospital.

He was born Feb. 24, 1934, in Ancell to Theon and Alfreda Hess Blattel. T.J. and Ruth M. Lawson were married June 2, 1956, in Kelso, Missouri. She preceded him in death Aug. 1, 1998, after 42 years of marriage.

T.J. served in the U.S. Navy and worked as a crew foreman for Union Electric, now Ameren, for 34 years. He was a talented taxidermist and owned T.J. Blattel and Son Taxidermy. He also enjoyed fishing and playing guitar.

Loving survivors include a son, Tom (Patricia) Blattel of Cape Girardeau; daughters, Cindy (Chuck) Stone of Cape Girardeau and Peggy (Russell) Neal of Cape Girardeau; brother, Larry (Mabel) Blattel of Cape Girardeau; sisters, Shirley Ledure of Kelso and Mildred Westrich of Cape Girardeau; three grandsons, Alan (Jessica) and Jonathan (Jamie) Blattel and Andrew (Angela) Stone; and four great-grandchildren, Emmalynn, Lucas and Eleanor Stone and Keagan Blattel.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ruth.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Donny Ford officiating. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Arthritis Foundation.

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