PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Melvin R. "Sandy" Klaus, 83, of Perryville died Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004, at Perry County Memorial Hospital.

He was born Aug. 29, 1921, at Friedheim, son of Clarence William and Bertha Moeller Klaus. He and LaVanche Simkins were married June 18, 1977.

Klaus was an insurance agent with AAL. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and its Men's Choir, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

He was a veteran of World War II.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Cathy Holmes of Las Vegas, Kendra Klaus of St. Louis; two stepsons, Wesley Robertson of Cape Girardeau, George Huse Jr. of Euless, Texas; a stepdaughter, Debra Brown of West Plains, Mo.; a sister, Alma MacClurg of Perryville; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, five brothers and a sister.

Friends may call at Young and Sons Funeral Home from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The wake will be at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Matthew Marks officiating. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, with military graveside service by American Legion Post 133.