Leonard Ludwig

Leonard E. Ludwig, 90, of Oak Ridge passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born March 31, 1925, in Oak Ridge, son of Ernest and Amanda M. Hecht Ludwig. He and Jacqueline Lane were married May 23, 1954, in Brazeau, Missouri.

Leonard was baptized April 12, 1925, and confirmed April 10, 1930, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Pocahontas. He served in the United States Army during World War II from April 5, 1945, until his honorable discharge Nov. 20, 1946. He worked for the former Florsheim Shoe Factory in Cape Girardeau for 30 years, retiring in 1987. While working at the shoe factory, he spent many years lovingly perfecting the lineage of his herd of registered Polled Hereford cattle. Leonard was a member of the American Polled Hereford Association, the National Cattleman's Association, the Missouri Cattleman's Association, the Missouri Farm Bureau, NRA and a former officer in the TPA. He also was a member of American Legion Post 158 in Jackson for more than 65 years and VFW 3838 in Cape Girardeau.

Loving survivors include his wife of 61 years; nieces and nephews, Marie (Keith) Ruesler, Ken Ludwig (Carol Longenecker), Dale (Rhonda) Ludwig, Linda (Kyle) Brotherton, Brenda Hopfer and Stephen (Debbie) Thurm; special great-nieces and great-nephews, Annette (Michael) Engelen, Leah (Bradley) Lappe, Natalie Ruesler, Zackary Ruesler and Jena Brotherton; great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, Kelby, Cora, Trustin and Kamden.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Marvin Ludwig, and a sister, Verna Thurm.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Pocahontas.

The funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Bruce Ritter officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. John's Lutheran Church, Oak Ridge School Foundation, the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau or Riverside Regional Library in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.