Joseph Westrich

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. -- Joseph F. Westrich, 77, of New Hamburg passed away Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, at Landmark Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 7, 1937, in Chaffee, Missouri, to the late William "Bill" and Blandine Clara Blattel Westrich. He and Theresa Bucher were married May 25, 1957.

Joe was employed by Lowenbaum Dress Manufacturing Co., where he was president of the International Ladies Garment Union for 20 years. He was former owner and operator of Schindler's Tavern in New Hamburg, worked 15 years as a construction worker at Drury Construction, had a local mail route and was a self-employed farmer.

He was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in New Hamburg, St. Joseph Sodality, Chaffee Elks Lodge 1810, Sheet Metal Workers International Association and Laborers Local 1104 for 30 years. He also served 15 years on the school board of the Kelso School District.

Survivors include his wife, Theresa Westrich of New Hamburg; a son, Karl J. Westrich of Cape Girardeau; two daughters, Stephanie (Russell) Burger of New Hamburg and Sandra (Howard) Bollinger of Benton, Missouri; six grandchildren, Camille and Dietrich Bollinger, Major (Monica), Kristain and Summer Burger and Karrie Dru Westrich; two great-grandchildren, Kamden Bollinger and Mila Lee Burger; three brothers, Charles Westrich of Chaffee, James Westrich of Kelso and C.T. Westrich of Cape Girardeau; and a sister, Viola Diebold of Cape Girardeau.

Friends may call after 4 p.m. today at St. Lawrence Church. Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church, with the Rev. Michael Casteel as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Lawrence Church Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at amick-burnettfuneralchapels.com.