WALTER SONNTAG

Walter A. "Wally" Sonntag, 69, of Cape Girardeau died Sunday, Nov. 1, 1998, at his home, following a lengthy illness.

He was born June 24, 1929, in Sheboygan, Wis., son of Joseph and Isabelle Schropp Sonntag. He and Katherine D. Sappington were married June 26, 1954, in Washington, D.C.

Sonntag was a certified court reporter 36 years in Farmington and Cape Girardeau, retiring in 1991.

He was a member of Farmington and Cape Girardeau Elks lodges, and VFW Post 3838. He was named Elk of the Year in 1994. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Robert Sonntag of Indianapolis, Ind.; two daughters, Joan Vessell of San Antonio, Texas, Barbara Bender of Cape Girardeau; three brothers, Father Luis Sonntag of Fond du Lac, Wis., Vince Sonntag of Sheboygan, Clem Sonntag of Janesville, Wis.; three sisters, Mary Radwick of Jacksonville, Fla., Cathy Von Handel of Sheboygan, Terry Kellner of Phoenix, Ariz.; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 4-8 p.m. today. Parish prayers will be at 7, and Elks service at 7:30.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with the Rev. Milton Ryan officiating. Entombment will be in Memorial Park Mausoleum.