Obituary for Louis Hartje

Louis H. Hartje Jr., 91, of Jackson, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2015, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born December 21, 1923, in Chester, Illinois, to Louis and Esther Herberts Hartje. He and Mary R. Morgan were married September 15, 1950 in Chester. They had been married nearly 50 years when she passed away August 18, 2000.

Louis was raised in the Chester community, where he was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, and graduated from Chester Senior High School. He was WWII veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force, serving honorably as a sergeant from March 9, 1943 to December 14, 1945.

Upon returning home from the service, he enjoyed a 44 year career with the former International Shoe Company. In 1966 he and his family moved to Jackson, retiring as office manager in 1986. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

Loving survivors include a son and daughter in law, Jerry and Luanne Hartje of North Barrington, Illinois; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Don Hinkebein of Jackson; five grandchildren, Kyle (Julie) Hartje, Kara (Travis) Berth, Emily (Joe) Mattes, Laura Olson and fiancé Chad Behnen, and Sarah (Eric) Minor; two great grandchildren, Ruth and Aaron Hartje; a sister, Loretta Feldt of Belleville, Illinois; sister-in-law, Ruby (the late William) Hartje, of DuQuoin, Illinois; many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a sister, Melba Lippert; and two brothers, Walter and William R.F. "Bud" Hartje.

Visitation will be Friday, May 15, 2015 from 10 AM to service time at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral service will be at 11 AM at the funeral home with the Rev. Jason Shaw officiating. Interment will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.