JACKSON -- Robert E. Rafferty Sr., 87, of Jackson died Monday, Oct. 14, 1996, at Deal Nursing Home.

He was born Feb. 7, 1909, at Jackson, son of Thomas and Lenore Franklin Rafferty. He and Mary Mollenhour were married May 26, 1930.

Rafferty attended Southeast Missouri State University.

He worked at Continental Oil Co. in Sikeston 10 years; was a distributor for Conoco Oil Co.; farmed at Millersville 10 years; was a meatcutter at Kroger in Jackson; was a city collector and former city councilman a number of years; owned and operated A&W Root Beer in Jackson; was co-owner of Bi-Rite Grocery Store in Jackson; and was a meat inspector with United States Department of Agriculture, retiring in 1976.

Rafferty was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and was a 4th Degree with Knights of Columbus Council 1111 in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Robert Rafferty of Jackson; three daughters, Sue Ludwig of Indianapolis, Ind., Roberta "Bert" Birk and Ann Donnelly of Jackson; a sister, Cathryn White of Cape Girardeau; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two stepgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, two brothers and three sisters.

Friends may call at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson from 4-8 p.m. today. Parish prayers will be at 7 and KC rosary at 7:30.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Church, with Msgr. Edward Eftink officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.