Charlie Johnson isn't taking retirement sitting down. The 70-year-old Cape Girardeau man bags groceries at Schnucks.

"I really enjoy it. I meet wonderful people, " said Johnson, who moved here last August from Cleveland, Ohio, after careers as a hospital chaplain and director of a neighborhood center.

"I worked for the Catholic Church for about 30 years," said Johnson. He moved to Cape Girardeau to enjoy his retirement.

But sitting at home wasn't for him. He began working for Schnucks shortly before Christmas. He works about 20 hours a week.

Age hasn't limited Johnson. He regularly lifts weights and loves to play golf. A member of the American Legion, he also volunteers his time at the Missouri Veterans Home.

"I like to keep moving," said a smiling Johnson as he bagged groceries recently.

Johnson isn't alone. A number of elderly area residents have embraced second careers in their so-called retirement years. They work in various businesses, including fast-food restaurants, discount stores and supermarkets.

Schnucks alone employs from six to 10 senior citizens. Most of them bag or deliver groceries. They typically work about 25 to 30 hours a week.

Store manager Dennis Marchi doesn't hesitate to hire senior citizens.

"Their work ethic, I feel, is so much better than today's generation," he said. "They know what it takes to satisfy the customer."

They also love to chat with the customers. "They are a wealth of history," he said.

Larry Lipke, 61, of Jackson is a retired school principal from the Chicago area. He has worked at Schnucks for five years. He trains baggers, and shops for online customers and delivers their groceries.

He also delivers flowers for the store. "I even haul wedding cakes," he said.

Lipke couldn't be happier with his second career.

"I just wanted something to do," he said. "I got tired of killing time."

Lipke said the job is much different than being a principal as he doesn't "have to put on suits."

He said senior citizens can be counted on to do the job right.

"You can depend on retired people getting to work on time," he said.

Paul Scholl, 63, of Jackson has been working at the supermarket for about a year. Before retirement, he held jobs with Coca-Cola in Jackson and a sign company in Sikeston.

"I like to stay active," he said. "I like being around people."

Scholl and other senior citizens welcome the pay checks. More importantly, they like the health-insurance benefits.

Scholl said he wouldn't have taken the job without such benefits.

In 1985, 2.8 million Americans, age 65 and older, were in the labor force. By 1998, the number had climbed to 3.8 million, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In a 1998 survey by the American Association of Retired Persons, 80 percent of baby boomers reported they expect to work in retirement.

At Wal-Mart, elderly residents are a common sight as "people greeters."

Kim Stovall, personnel manager for the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Cape Girardeau, said senior citizens are dependable workers.

"Come rain, sleet or snow, they are like the mailman," said Stovall. "They are always going to be here."

They enjoy talking to the customers, she said, and "they greet them just like they do a neighbor.

The Cape Girardeau store has 10 greeters.

"I think our youngest one is in her late 50s. The rest are 60 and older," said Stovall.

The store also has a retired principal who works in sporting goods.

Greeter Ivan McLain, 69, of Cape Girardeau worked for most of his life in law enforcement. He served as Cape Girardeau County sheriff. He ended his law enforcement career as Chaffee's police chief. He retired in l992.

Within a few months, he was back at work, this time as a greeter for Wal-Mart.

"You can only mow your yard so many times," said McLain, who works a 3-11 p.m. shift.

His wife, Betty, is a retired nurse, but like him, she is working again. She works in the personnel department at the Wal-Mart store in Jackson.

Ivan McLain isn't ready to retire again.

"I'm planning to stay as long as my health permits," said McLain, who suffered through two bouts of cancer.

These days, he appears in good health.

"I enjoy the job," said McLain.