Byron D. Fluegge, 81, of Jackson passed away Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 18, 1931, in Jackson, to Robert and Martina Peetz Fluegge. He and Darlene Shoemake were married March 24, 1972.

Fluegge was baptized March 12, 1931, and confirmed March 24, 1945, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit. He prided himself in still being able to recite his confirmation verse, John 8:31-32. He attended the former Immanuel Lutheran School in Tilsit through grade eight and graduated from Jackson High School in 1949.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 18, 1952, in Cape Girardeau. He attained the rank of corporal July 1, 1953, while serving in Korea, and was honorably discharged Dec. 17, 1953, at Wolters Air Force Base in Texas.

He was employed at the Cape County Highway Department, Wiethop Truck Sales and Arkansas Best Freight, retiring in 1993. He especially enjoyed working many years as Santa Claus at West Park Mall. His love of farming spanned his entire lifetime.

Fluegge was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit until 1965, when he joined St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. He was a faithful member and proudly served as an elder, trustee, usher, Sunday school teacher and member of the stewardship and finance committee. He enjoyed membership in VFW Post 10495 and Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson, and served as commander of both organizations.

Loving survivors include his wife of 40 years, Darlene of Jackson; six children, Mark (Mary Beth) Fluegge of Cape Girardeau, David (Debbie) Fluegge of Antonia, Mo., Nancy Shoemake (Gary) McLeane of St. Peters, Mo., Bruce (Tammy) Fluegge of Sedgewickville, Mo., Bob (Kris) Shoemake of Groveland, Ill., and Tammy Fluegge (Tom) Sladek of Jackson; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters, Evelyn Moore and Marjorie Hoehne; two brothers, Orville (Loretta) Fluegge and Milford (Judie) Fluegge; sister-in-law Betty Fluegge; aunt, Ruby Aufdenberg, all of the Jackson area; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Charles Fluegge.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson. There will be an American Legion Honor Guard service at 7 p.m. Friends may also call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Robert Henrichs officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church or St. Paul Radio Ministry.