Willard Thiele

Willard Lee Thiele, 63, of Delta left this world to be with his heavenly father Sunday, July 31, 2011, at his home, with his family at his bedside.

He was born May 6, 1948, to August and Alma Leggett Thiele. He and Ruth Ann Shumpert were married Nov. 16, 1969.

Willard loved to fish, hunt, camp, swim, play his harmonica and go to auctions.

He was a retired press operator at Semo Box Co., a life member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 16 in Cape Girardeau and a member of First Baptist Church in Delta.

He served in the U.S. Army.

Willard is survived by his wife, Ruth Ann of the home; a son, Danny (Brenda) Thiele of Chaffee, Mo.; and a grandson, Jeremy McElroy of Advance, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; a daughter, Tina Diane McElroy; a sister, Alvis McArdle; and an infant sister.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the chapel, with the Rev. Phil Thompson officiating. Burial will be in Mansion Cemetery near Leopold, Mo., with full military honors by Missouri Honor Society.