William Kuss

A tribute to our Dad:

William H. Kuss was called by our father to enter his heavenly kingdom Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012. Bill was a man of strong convictions. He loved his family and was always there for them. He had steadfastly fulfilled his calling as devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Bill left a wonderful example and set a high standard for his descendants to follow. He lovingly challenged them to be as upright, honest, and hardworking as he was.

With all of our love,

Your family.

William H. Kuss was born April 26, 1934, son of Joseph R. and Lillian A. Downs Kuss. He was united in marriage with Betty J. Landewee May 11, 1957, in Leopold, Mo.

He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during the Korean conflict.

Bill was employed by Caterpillar Co. in Joliet, Ill. He moved back to Cape Girardeau and worked with his family developing County Acres Construction Co. and Edgewood Highland Subdivision. Later, Bill managed Cape Farm and Hardware and was a Butler Building and grain bin dealer. With business cohorts he built Kingsway Skateland. Most recently he owned and operated Lorberg Funeral Chapel, which is now Crain Funeral Home.

He was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral, Missouri Realtor's Association, Chamber of Commerce, National Funeral Directors Association and Missouri Funeral Directors Association.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Shirley A. (Mark) Diesel of Piedmont, Mo., Catherine Kuss Tanksley of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, Nicolette A. (Christopher) Tanksley-Smith of Jackson, Kimberly (Paul) Hovis of Greenville, Mo., Samuel William (Beth) Tanksley of Cape Girardeau, Benjamin Diesel of Piedmont; six great-grandchildren, Matthew and Marissa Hovis, Lillian and Maxwell Smith, Harmony and Melody Cash; two brothers, Joseph R. (Joneal) Kuss of Englewood, Fla., and James H. Kuss of Scott

City.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant daughter, Deborah A. Kuss.

Visitation will be from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Monday at Crain Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Cathedral, with the Rev. Tom Kiefer as celebrant. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's Cathedral Education Foundation or Campaign for Human Development.

To leave online condolences visit www.crainsonline.com.