Kenneth G. Mehrle, 85, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Aug. 19, 1925, in Cape Girardeau, to Arthur J. and Anita Schwab Mehrle Sr. He and Bettie Fulbright were married Aug. 30, 1946, in Kansas City, Kan.

Kenneth was a 1942 graduate of Central High School, attended Southeast Missouri State University and graduated from St. Louis College of Pharmacy. He was an independent pharmacy owner of Medical Arts Pharmacy, retiring after 35 years in business to Sun City West, Ariz.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and received the Purple Heart during the Battle of the Bulge.

He was a member of the following pharmacy organizations: past president, National Association of Retail Druggists (NCPA); past president, Missouri Pharmaceutical Association; past president, Missouri State Board of Pharmacy; past president, Cape Girardeau County Pharmaceutical Association; past member, board of trustees, St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

Also a member of St. Louis College of Pharmacy Alumni Association; member, Gammi Pi Graduate Chapter, Kappsi PSI Pharmaceutical Fraternity; past member, DEA Pharmacy Working Committee; past member, board of directors of American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education; past member, Consumer Products and Safety Committee; past member, Missouri Medicaid Advisory Committee; past member, Pharmacy Advisory Committee, Pfizer Laboratory; first chairman, NCPA Political Action Committee (NARD PAC 18 years); past president, NCPA Foundation eight years, and was currently serving on board of directors.

He was awarded: President's Award, Missouri Pharmacists Association; King of Courtesy Award, Missouri Travelers Association; Man of The Year Award, Missouri Pharmacists Association; Man of the Year Award, Kappa PSI Pharmaceutical Fraternity; honorary member, Alumni Association of the University of Missouri School of Pharmacy, Kansas City, Mo.; Bowl of Hygeia Award, Missouri Pharmacist Association; and Distinguished Alumnus Award, St. Louis College of Pharmacy.

He was past vice president of Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; past president, Cape Girardeau Chapter of the U.S. Navy League; past member, board of directors of the United Fund; past director, Southeast Hospital; and member of the board of directors of Boatman's Bank of Cape Girardeau.

Kenneth was a delegate at the 1972 Democratic National Convention, representing Missouri's 10th Congressional District; delegate at the 1972 Missouri Democratic State Convention; and past member, Cape Girardeau County Democratic Committee.

He was a community leader, and his civic affairs included charter member of Cape Girardeau Exchange Club, past president and member of board of directors of Pharmacist Mutual Insurance Co. of Algona, Iowa. He was a member and past deacon of evangelical United Church of Christ in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include two daughters, Debbie Kitchen and husband Darrell, Jane Koch and husband Scott, all of Cape Girardeau; six grandchildren, Megan Koch and fiance Tyson Rayburn, Amanda Koch, Corie J. Nunnally, Racheal Kitchen, Damien Kitchen and Kenny Long.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a son, William Kent Mehrle; and a brother, Arthur Mehrle.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with Dan Johnson officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum, with military rites by Missouri Honors Team.

Memorial contributions may be given to NCPA Foundation, 100 Daingerfield Road, Alexandria, VA 22314-2888, or Muhammad Ali Parkinson's Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, 240 W. Thomas Road, Suite 301, Phoenix, AZ 85013.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.