Richard E. Welter, 69, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, at Saint Francis Medical Center after sustaining injuries in an automobile accident.

He was born Feb. 20, 1953, in St. Louis to Elmer J. and Shirley Anderson Welter.

Richard was a 1972 graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School. In 1973, he entered the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1977. Richard worked several years for Dow-Com and as a representative of Amway, and was an in-home personal caregiver. He volunteered at St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad, impersonating Frank James.

Richard was a lifelong member of Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau and a member of Cape Girardeau American Legion and National Rifle Association.

Loving survivors include his sister, Cheryl Gerhardt of Cape Girardeau; nephew, Jason Stovall of Cape Girardeau; two nieces, Jessica Shackles of Chaffee, Missouri, and JoAnna Sams of Cape Girardeau; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and a great-great-niece and -nephew.

Also surviving are many special cousins and friends, including Pat Lynch, and his canine baby, Pepper Anne.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents.

A graveside memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Fairmount Cemetery in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Jeffrey Waters officiating.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Cape Girardeau American Legion Post No. 3838, American Heart Association or American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the "Tribute Wall" tab of Richard's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.