Leland J. 'Freck' Shivelbine

L.J. passed away peacefully with family at home Sunday, June 24, 2018.

He was born April 18, 1926, in Cape Girardeau to William A. and Irene Pott Shivelbine.

Freck was a lifelong resident of Cape Girardeau and graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School and Southeast Missouri State College. He served briefly in the Navy during WWII. He and Dorothy Janet Powles married Oct. 23, 1949.

He and his brother, Bill, owned Shivelbine's Music Store since 1949. He semi-retired in 1996 but was still involved with the store until his passing. During his long life, music was always a wonderful source of enjoyment for him. He was proud to help provide music education to countless beginning band students.

L.J. loved Cape and was active in the community, volunteering with The Arts Council and Old Town Cape and was founding father of the River Heritage Mural Association, Meals-On-Wheels, elder and deacon of First Presbyterian Church and a member of the Cape Municipal Band. He was a member of the Noon Lions Club since 1950, holding numerous offices including president in 1963-1964. Through his countless volunteer hours, he received several awards: 2001 Cape Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year, 1998 Otto Dingeldein Award, 2018 Charles L. Hudson Visionary Award, Melvin Jones Award from the Lions Club and many others. As he said at the end of his Hudson Award acceptance speech, "God Bless Cape Girardeau; it is a wonderful town!"

He loved spending time with family and friends fishing in the boundary waters or local ponds. Another favorite was playing many hands of bridge, gin and our family favorite, crazy eights. His best time was spent at the cabin, telling stories that made us all smile. He also loved catching up with local band directors and throwing parties. He truly was a fun-loving family man.

He is survived by three sons and one daughter, Mike (Kathy), Scott and Greg Shivelbine all of Cape Girardeau, and daughter, Laurie (Bob) Bret of Dallas; five grandchildren Matt (Jenna) Shivelbine of Kirkwood, Missouri, Beth (Dave) Winkler of Maryland Heights, Missouri, and Erin, Allison and Megan Bret of Dallas; and four great-grandchildren, Olin and Emrik Shivelbine and Noah and Ellie Winkler.

Preceding him in death were his mother and father, wife of 40 years and only sibling, William L. Shivelbine.

Friends will be welcomed to gather at a casual sharing of memories and a "celebration of life" from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Celebrations Downtown.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau Inc., Noon Lions Foundation, First Presbyterian Church or Southeast Hospice.

Ford and Sons in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.