Edgar "Ed" John McLaughlin, 89, passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, at Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born June 11, 1926, in St. Louis to James and Herta Seiffert McLaughlin, both of whom preceded him in death.

Ed proudly served his country during World War II, later becoming an Air Force Reserve officer. He received both his Juris Doctorate and his CPA license from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, after which he worked for companies such as Price Waterhouse and Arthur Anderson, before starting his own private practice in Clayton, Missouri. In 1973, he closed his practice and moved to Cape Girardeau to become the corporate attorney for Drury Industries. He later retired as corporate attorney for Drury Southwest Inc.

He was a proud member of Mensa, as well as the Elks Lodge, American Legion, AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Shriners.

In his retirement, he took up several hobbies, including woodworking, making pens and other knickknacks for his family and friends. For many years he kept a houseboat, the Jackpot!, docked at a marina on Lake Barkley in Kentucky, where he spent many weekends enjoying the lake, the sunshine and the company of the friends he made. After he sold the houseboat, he started spending half of every year in Florida.

Loving survivors include his five children, Edgar (Rosemary) McLaughlin of Lloyd Harbor, New York, James (Jeanine) McLaughlin of Parkland, Florida, Jessie (Reggie) Gaylord of Livermore, California, Russell (Colleen) McLaughlin of Oakbrook, Illinois, and William McLaughlin of Pensacola, Florida. He also leaves behind many grandchildren: Edgar (Carolyn) McLaughlin III, Elizabeth (William) Brooks, Christopher McLaughlin, Charles McLaughlin, Ryan McLaughlin, James Robert McLaughlin, Melissa Snider, Scott McLaughlin, Craig McLaughlin, Amanda McLaughlin, Ashley McLaughlin and Victoria McLaughlin; as well as two great-grandchildren, Layla Brooks and Charly Rose McLaughlin.

Ed also was survived by his dear friend and companion, Rutha Sue Rogers; her daughter, Cheryl Rogers Maloney; and granddaughter Emily Hendricks-Jensen (Mathies).

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother James; and sister Bette McGuire.

There will be no visitation or service.

The family requests any donations be made in his memory to the Cape Elks Lodge or Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.