Valdis Zalite

Valdis Imants Zalite, 71, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, March 14, 2022, at the home of his son.

He was born Dec. 3, 1950, in Germany to Richard and Emma Gaida Zalite.

He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and, after a career in the service, he retired as a master sergeant. He was honored by the Wake Foundation, a Missouri veterans organization, for his service to our country.

Valdis was a member of Hanover Lutheran Church.

He loved to fish, put models together, buy scratcher tickets, bowl, hunt and shoot, talk on the phone and fix everything, since he was good with his hands and was very mechanical. He also liked listening to YouTube videos way too loud. He was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan. He loved his kiddos and grandkids. He especially loved playing iPhone darts with Espy, asking his buddy -- Lillie -- for help in his room and playing cards, requesting his treats to be picked up by Ali, and grabbing a high five or handshake from Valdi.

Survivors include four children, Chrissy Zalite of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Valdi (Martha) Zalite of Cape Girardeau; P.J. (Aaron) Keplinger of Omaha, Nebraska; and Berry (Stacy) Langley of Elizabeth City, North Carolina; special person, Lexi Wallace of Piggott, Arkansas; brother, Dr. David (Rocky) Moore of Pleasant View, Tennessee; four sisters, Rasma (Steve) Wiginton of Austin, Texas; Ilga (Terry) Martin of Springfield, Tennessee; Ginger (Steve) Lacy of Wilsonville, Oregon; and Mary (Scott) Seaton of Bourbonnais, Illinois; and grandchildren, Espy, Riley, Ali, Valdi, Livi, Lillie and Ava.

Valdis was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Richie and John Zalite.

Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Hanover Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church with the Rev. Rod Benkendorf officiating. Burial with graveside military rites by Missouri Honors Team will be at the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to Hanover Lutheran Church.

Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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