Ralph Gosche

Ralph Joseph Gosche, 87, of Cape Girardeau died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, at Southeast Hospital.

He was born Feb. 27, 1926, in Oran, Mo., to George John and Amanda Helen Schwartz Gosche. He and Helen T. Kielhofner were married May 28, 1949, at Oran.

Ralph was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and its St. Joseph Sodality, Knights of Columbus and VFW. He had worked at Marquette Cement more than 20 years, then at Lowes Manufacturing plant in Oran, from which he retired.

He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War.

Survivors include a daughter, Debra (Larry) Rickman of Oak Ridge; two grandchildren, Laura (Jeremy) Boyer and Eric Rickman; a great-grandchild, Landen Boyer; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; a daughter, Saundra Gosche; a brother, Monsignor Joseph Gosche; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Isabelle (Albert) Kappler and Cecilia (Leon) Bisher.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m., followed by Knights of Columbus rosary.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Vincent de Paul Church, with the Rev. David Hulshof officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery with military rites by the Missouri Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.