Louis I. Picou, 88, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Oct. 23, 2003, at St. Francis Medical Center.

He was born May 25, 1915, in Berwick, La., son of Louis J. and Edna R. Lodriguez Picou. He and Drucille L. Hinton were married Oct. 14, 1941, in Cape Girardeau.

Mr. Picou had been a chief engineer with John I. Hay Towing Co., worked at Pure Oil Co. and Ohio Barge Lines, retiring in December 1978.

He was a member of First Baptist Church, Harold O. Grauel Masonic Lodge 672, St. Louis Lodge of Perfection, Moolah Shrine of St. Louis, Capaha Scottish Rite, Cape Shrine Club, Sword of Bunker Hill, St. Mark's Chapter 167 Order of Eastern Star, Calvary Shrine 8, Cape Court 4, Order of the Amaranth and High Twelve Club.

He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Robert Johnson of Shawnee, Kan.; three sisters, Mildred Cefalu of Morgan City, La., Marjorie Grimmer of Lafayette, La., Isabell LaBoeuf of Lake Charles, La.; and a brother, Rousell Picou of Patterson, La.

He was preceded in death by a brother.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home from 11 a.m. Sunday until time of service. An Order of Amaranth service will be held at 1 p.m., and Masonic service by Harold O. Grauel Masonic Lodge 672 at 1:30.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jay White officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum, with military rites conducted by VFW Post 3838.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Children's Hospital in St. Louis.