Leonard E. Ludwig

Leonard E. Ludwig, 90, of Oak Ridge passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 31, 1925, in Oak Ridge, son of Ernest and Amanda M. Hecht Ludwig. He and Jacqueline Lane were married May 23, 1954 in Brazeau, Missouri.

Leonard was baptized April 12, 1925 and confirmed April 10, 1930 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Pocahontas. He served in the United States Army during World War II from April 5, 1945 until his honorable discharge on November 20, 1946. He worked for the former Florsheim Shoe Factory in Cape Girardeau for 30 years, retiring in 1987. While working at the shoe factory, he spent many years lovingly perfecting the lineage of his herd of registered Polled Hereford Cattle. Leonard was a member of the American Polled Hereford Association, the National Cattleman's Association, the Missouri Cattleman's Association, the Missouri Farm Bureau, NRA, and a former officer in the TPA. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #158 in Jackson for over 65 years, and the VFW #3838 in Cape Girardeau.

Loving survivors include his wife of 61 years; nieces and nephews, Marie (Keith) Ruesler, Ken Ludwig (Carol Longenecker), Dale (Rhonda) Ludwig, Linda (Kyle) Brotherton, Brenda Hopfer, and Stephen (Debbie) Thurm; special great nieces and nephews, Annette (Michael) Engelen, Leah (Bradley) Lappe, Natalie Ruesler, Zackary Ruesler, and Jena Brotherton; great-great nieces and nephews, Kelby, Cora, Trustin, and Kamden.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Marvin Ludwig and a sister, Verna Thurm.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 2015 at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, with an American Service to be held at 5:00 p.m.; and from 9:00 a.m. until service time at St. John's Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.

The funeral will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2015, at the church, with the Rev. Bruce Ritter officiating.

Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. John's Lutheran Church, Oak Ridge School Foundation, the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau, or Riverside Regional Library in Jackson.