Donald Fred Kutscher

Donald Fred Kutscher, 77, of Christopher, Illinois, formerly of Jackson, passed away Monday, April 28, 2025, at NHC Healthcare in Desloge, Missouri. He was born October 16, 1947, in Cape Girardeau, to Arthur and Elda Pohlmann Kutscher. He and Carol Clark were married October 16, 1998, in Blount County, Tennessee. Don was baptized November 2, 1947, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, and confirmed March 26, 1961, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. Presently, he was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carbondale, Illinois. He was a 1965 graduate of Jackson High School, during which time he worked at Jackson Lanes. Don attended Southeast Missouri State University. While working for Florsheim Shoe Company in Cape Girardeau, he was drafted and inducted into the U.S. Army on November 7, 1966. He served 12 months in Vietnam and was honorably discharged on August 11, 1968. He was a member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson; and the DAV in Christopher. Upon his Army discharge, Don returned to his job at Florsheim and then worked many years in the Parts Department of Ford Groves. Other jobs included security and valet parking at Saint Francis Medical Center and the parts division of Erb Equipment in Cape Girardeau. He retired in 2008, and he and Carol moved to Christopher, Illinois, where he made many new friends. His hobbies included camping, fishing, and squirrel hunting. Loving survivors include his wife of 26 years, Carol Kutscher of Christopher; a daughter, Holly (Tommy) Hacker of Savannah, Georgia; five grandchildren, Josiah Hacker of Richmond, Virginia; Emma, Elizabeth "Lizzie", Hannah, and Eliana Hacker, all of Savannah; a sister, Darlene Kutscher Daniel of Jackson; a nephew, two nieces, and their families: Kevin Gerhardt, Keisha Bromley, and Krissie Scholl. Carol's surviving family includes her siblings, Charles (Aries) Clark of Opdyke, Illinois; Denny (Janet) Clark of Bessie, Illinois; Mike (Judy) Clark of Benton, Illinois; a brother-in-law, Bob (late Debbie) Choate of Austin, Texas; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister and infant brother; two-great-nieces; Carol's parents, Edward and Bonnie Rich Clark; and Carol's sister, Debbie Choate. Visitation is from 12 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Friday, May 2, 2025, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. At 1:45 p.m., there will be an American Legion Honor Guard Service, immediately following, the Rev. Jay Holden will conduct the funeral service. Interment will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in New Wells. If considering a memorial contribution, the family suggests Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery or Don's church, Our Savior Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tribute wall tab above Don's obituary article at mccombsfuneralhome.com.