Thomas Herter

Thomas Eugene Herter Sr., 81, of Lafayette, La., formerly of Cape Girardeau, died on Friday, Sept. 2, 2005, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, La.

He was born on Friday, Dec. 21, 1923, in Golden Eagle, Ill., son of the late Paul C. and Jessie Jane Sherman Herter.

He and Lucille Elaine (Schmid) Herter were married Aug. 20 1949, in St. Louis, Mo. She survives. He served in the Army from March 23, 1945 to Dec. 7, 1946.

He was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape. He first worked with his father in his father's rock quarry in Golden Eagle. He then was superintendent of West Lake Companies for 36 years. In his retirement years, he worked for brother-in-law Walter H. Schmid at Rehab Services of Vermilion Parish in Gueydan, La.

He is survived by: his wife, Lucille Elaine Herter of Lafayette, La.; sons Daniel and Timothy Herter of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., Thomas Eugene Herter Jr. and wife Kathryn Ann of Scott, La., and Stephen Herter and wife Charman of Orlando, Fla.; daughter Melodie Menard of Kingwood, Texas; brother Ellis Herter of Belle, Mo.; sister Jessie Mae Vignali of St. Louis, Mo.; five grandsons; and four granddaughters.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday with the Rev. Laurence Bradt officiating. Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with military rites by the Missouri Honor Guard.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.