Hank Niemann

Henry Earl "Hank" Niemann, 81, of Gordonville passed away Thursday, May 31, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born June 4, 1930, in Gordonville, son of Henry Herman and Clara Elizabeth Sandvos Niemann. He and Mary Schweain Tilley were married May 20, 1998. She passed away Jan. 18, 2011.

Hank was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran Church in Gordonville and active in the Men's Club. He was an avid bowler and cattle farmer, and truly enjoyed his John Deere tractors. Hank also worked at Coca-Cola Bottling Plant in Jackson 15 years, where he developed lifelong friendships with many of his co-workers.

Loving survivors include two daughters, Dixie (Alan) Crites of Jackson, Deanna Ware of Gordonville; a son, Danny (Sue) Niemann of Springfield, Mass; five grandchildren, Courtney, Kaitlin and Kacie Crites, Rachel and Matt Ware; four stepdaughters, Karen (Steve) Allen of Whitewater, Jeannie Tucker of Zalma, Mo., Patsy (Larry) Gibson and Candace Knickerbocker of Cape Girardeau; a stepson, Jimmy (Theresa) Tilley of Colorado Springs, Colo.; 12 stepgrandchildren; and 11 great-stepgrandchildren. He will be missed by all, including his faithful canine companion, Bobbie.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Opal Stearns; and an infant son, David.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center, and from 1 p.m. until service time at Christ Lutheran Church.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Gary Hoffstetter officiating. Interment will be in Christ Lutheran Cemetery in Gordonville.

The family requests that memorials be made to Christ Lutheran Church Food Pantry.

Sympathy messages may be sent to the family online at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.