Wesley Kinder

Wesley "Wes" Kinder, 61, of Jackson died Monday, July 28, 2008, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born May 5, 1947, in Cape Girardeau, son of Clifton H. and Bernice Ausman Bess. He and Debra Lunsford were married Nov. 11, 1995, in Jackson.

Kinder was a 1965 graduate of Central High School.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army Feb. 15, 1967. He served in the 586th Engineer Co. and was awarded a Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Marksman (M14 and M16) and two Overseas Bars. He was honorably discharged Feb. 29, 1969, and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve through Feb. 14, 1973.

His work included employment with Barge Lines of New Orleans, self-employed auctioneer and collector of antiques, and a union carpenter in Cape Girardeau. He became disabled in 1993.

Kinder was a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters, Laura Kinder of Scott City, Carla Kinder of East Cape Girardeau, Ill., Tonya Dougan of Jackson; a stepson, William McCain Jr. of Jackson; seven grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; and a great-grandson.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. John Rhodes officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Fruitland with full military honors.