Rev. Walter “Rick” Patzwitz

Rev. Walter "Rick" Patzwitz, 61, Cape Girardeau, formerly of New Wells, passed away Monday, October 19, 2015, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born September 17, 1954, in St. Louis, to Walter F. and Florence P. Young Patzwitz, Sr. He and Sarah Weber were married May 4, 1985, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg, Missouri.

Rev. Patzwitz was a 1973 graduate of Belleville Township West High School. He then graduated from St. Paul's College in Concordia, Missouri, and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1981, he received a Masters of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and subsequently served as a Vicar at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Clark, New Jersey. In 1983, Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells called him to be their pastor. He loved preaching and ministering to his rural congregation. He served the congregation 30 years, retiring July 21, 2014, due to health complications.

He was a collector of pens, cups, and watches. He also enjoyed reading science fiction and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, a pastime the family enjoyed together.

Loving survivors include his wife of 30 years, Sarah of Cape Girardeau; a son, Isaac (Marcy) Patzwitz of Jackson; his only grandson, Payne Patzwitz of Jackson, known to "Gramps" as "Sparky"; a brother-in-law, William "Bill" (Fay) Weber of Fruitland; a sister-in-law, Barb (Daryl) Weinkein of Joplin, Missouri; a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great-nephews; and his very dear Beagle companion, Sadie Jo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, John Patzwitz; and an infant sibling, Pat Patzwitz.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM, Thursday, October 22, 2015, at the chapel of McCombsFuneral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson, and Friday, October 23, 2015, from 10 AM to service time, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be Friday, at 11 AM, at the church, with the Rev. John Dehne officiating.

Burial will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in New Wells with the Rev. Paul Winningham officiating.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Andrew Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Home, Immanuel Lutheran Church, or the donor's choice of church or charity.

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