Eugene and Jane Ulrich

Euguene R. Ulrich, 101, and Jane Collins Ulrich, 86, husband and wife, formerly of Jackson, passed away August 17, 2020 and March 11, 2012, respectively.

Eugene, born February 7, 1919, in Cape Girardeau, to Ben F. and Flora Kinder Ulrich, was a graduate of Cape Central High School.  He then attended one year at SEMO and one year of business college in Memphis.

Jane, born March 24, 1925, in El Paso, Texas, to Lee M. and Annie E. Roberson Collins, Sr., was a graduate of Austin High School in El Paso, Texas. 

Eugene and Jane were married September 29, 1943, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  Four children were born to their union, Eugene, Carolyn “Kandy”, Randy, and Connie.  They had been married 68 years when Jane passed away.

Eugene was a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 352 Bomb Squadron of the 301st Bomb Group, serving honorably during WWII from June 13, 1941 to November 25, 1945.   He flew 50 missions, including the battles and campaigns of Tunisia, Sicily, Naples, Foggia Air Offensive, and Europe.  His decorations and citations include a Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with Nine Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinquished Unit Citation Ribbon with four Bronze Service Stars, the Europe-Africa-Middle East Medal, and the American Defense Ribbon.

Eugene was an engineer tech and Jane was an executive secretary, both working many years for the U.S. Civil Service at White Sands Missle Range in New Mexico.  After retiring in their late 60’s, they enjoyed traveling with their camper.  They moved to Jackson in 1990 and attended Zion Methodist Church in Gordonville.

To cherish their memory, Eugene and Jane leave three children, Carolyn “Kandy” Pignataro of Florissant, Missouri; E. Randy Ulrich of El Paso, Texas; Connie Roybal of Florissant; eight grandsons, Eugene, Russel, and Michael Ulrich, Domonic and Chris Pignataro, Brandon E. Ulrich, Andrew and Aaron Roybal; five great-granddaughters, Carina, Talia, and Bridget Ulrich, Katelyn and Katie Melody Pignataro; and three great-grandsons, Gavin Pignataro, Hayden R. Ulrich Fernandez, and Brayden Roybal; and Eugene’s sister, Barbara Davis of California.

They were preceded in death by a son, Eugene R. Ulrich II; their parents; Eugene’s siblings, Ben Frank Ulrich, Rosemary Hardy; and Jane’s siblings, O. R. Collins, Lee M. Collins, Jr., and Hazel Belle Collins.

A private service and military honors will be held at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri, where Eugene and Jane will rest together. 

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.

Cremation by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eugene and Jane Ulrich, please visit our floral store.