Thomas Elfrink

LEOPOLD, Mo. -- Thomas Robert Elfrink, 90, of Leopold passed away Friday, March 27, 2015, at the Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Jan. 15, 1925, in Leopold, son of Jacob H. and Adelheid Jansen Elfrink. He and Wilma G. Seesing were united in marriage Feb. 26, 1946, in Leopold, and she passed away Sept. 4, 2002. He later married Juliana Tenholder Lutes in Leopold on Oct. 25, 2003.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

Mr. Elfrink was a member of the St. John's Catholic Church, a 63-year member of the Knights of Columbus and past grand knight. He was a charter member of the St. Isidore Council No. 5898, Leopold, and a 4th degree member of St. John's Assembly No. 1740.

He served his country proudly in the United States Navy during World War II aboard LST 281. He was at the historic D-Day invasion June 6, 1944. He was also a member of the VFW Post No. 5900.

He was an insurance agent most of his life and the Bollinger County License fee agent for several years. He incorporated the Leopold Hospital Fund in 1972, and it remains in effect to this date. He was instrumental in locating the Sheltered Workshop in Bollinger County and served as president of the Senate Bill 40 board for many years. The Regency House in Marble Hill, Missouri, was dedicated in his name.

Survivors include his wife, Juliana; daughters, Glenda (Bill) Landewee, Nancy (Glen) Landewee, Pamela (Ronnie) Wesbecher and Kimberly (Gary) Vandeven of Leopold; 12 grandchildren, Lisa Landewee, Kristi McGowen, Jill Bollinger, Adam Landewee, Brad Landewee, Angie Landewee, Andy Landewee, Kelly Schreiner, Courtney Beussink, Cole Wesbecher, Wendy McCall and Shelby Long; and 15 great-grandchildren. He also is survived by stepsons Michael (Kenna) Lutes, Ronnie (Henrietta) Lutes, Gary (Sharon) Lutes, Gerald Lutes, Tim (Tara) Lutes, Jeff (Susan) Lutes and Jamie (Tracie) Lutes; several stepgrandchildren, stepgreat-grandchildren and stepgreat-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; infant son, Kenneth Elfrink; infant daughter, Barbara Elfrink; infant granddaughter, Juli Vandeven; seven brothers; and a sister.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill; and the parish prayer and Knights of Columbus rosary will be at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at the St. John's Catholic Church, with the Rev. William Hennecke officiating. Burial will be in the St. John's Church Cemetery in Leopold with full military honors provided by the VFW Post No. 5900.