Rev. Walter 'Rick' Patzwitz

The Rev. Walter "Rick" Patzwitz, 61, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of New Wells, passed away Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 17, 1954, in St. Louis to Walter F. and Florence P. Young Patzwitz Sr. He and Sarah Weber were married May 4, 1985, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Altenburg, Missouri.

The Rev. Patzwitz was a 1963 graduate of Belleville Township West High School. He then graduated from St. Paul's College in Concordia, Missouri, and earned a bachelor of arts from Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1981, he received a master of divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and subsequently served as a vicar at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Clark, New Jersey. In 1983, he was called to be pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells. He loved preaching and ministering to his rural congregation. He served the congregation 30 years, retiring July 21, 2014, due to health complications.

He was a collector of pens, cups and watches. He also enjoyed reading science fiction and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, a pastime the family enjoyed together.

Loving survivors include his wife of 30 years, Sarah Patzwitz of Cape Girardeau; a son, Isaac (Marcy) Patzwitz of Jackson; his only grandson, Payne Patzwitz of Jackson, known to "Gramps" as "Sparky"; a brother-in-law, William "Bill" (Fay) Weber of Fruitland; a sister-in-law, Barb (Daryl) Weinkein of Joplin, Missouri; a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and his very dear beagle companion, Sadie Jo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, John Patzwitz; and an infant sibling, Pat Patzwitz.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 10 a.m. to service time Friday at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. John Dehne officiating.

Burial will follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in New Wells, with the Rev. Paul Winningham officiating.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Andrew Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Home, Immanuel Lutheran Church or the donor's choice of church or charity.

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