Eugene and Jane Ulrich

Eugene R. Ulrich, 101, and Jane Collins Ulrich, 86, husband and wife, formerly of Jackson, passed away Monday, Aug. 17, 2020, and Sunday, March 11, 2012, respectively.

Jane Ulrich

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

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.

Eugene and Jane were married Sept. 29, 1943, in Cape Girardeau. 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 first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps, 352nd Bomb Squadron of the 301st Bomb Group, serving honorably during World War II from June 13, 1941, to Nov. 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, Distinguished Unit Citation Ribbon with four Bronze Service Stars, Europe-Africa-Middle East Medal and 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 Missile Range in New Mexico. After retiring in their late 60s, they enjoyed traveling with their camper. They moved to Jackson in 1990 and attended Zion United 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 and Connie Roybal of Florissant; grandsons, Eugene, Russel and Michael Ulrich, Domonic and Chris Pignataro, Brandon E. Ulrich, Andrew and Aaron Roybal; great-granddaughters, Carina, Talia and Bridget Ulrich and Katelyn and Katie Melody Pignataro; 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 and 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 Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, where Eugene and Jane will rest together.

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

Cremation was accorded by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.