Walter N. Westrich, 76, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, June 18, 2010, at Chateau Girardeau Health Center.

He was born March 13, 1934, in Cape Girardeau to Nicholas and Anna Menz Westrich. He and Mary Jo Willett were married Oct. 27, 1958, in Cape Girardeau.

He graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1952 before enlisting in the U.S. Army, where he served during the Korean conflict. Walter was a member of the Accapella Club, VFW Post 3838, American Legion Post 63 and the Knights of Columbus Council 1111. He was former chief of Cape Girardeau Police Reserve and a member of the National Sheriff Association and the Southeast Missouri Law Enforcement Association. He was also a member of St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church.

Walter was a former police officer with Cape Girardeau and then was employed with Ameren UE for 34 years, retiring June 1, 1994, as a journeyman pipefitter.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jo Westrich of Cape Girardeau; a stepbrother, Robert Andrews of Illinois; four nieces; one nephew; a godchild; and close friends Don and Carol Koehler of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel. Parish prayers will be at 7:30 p.m., followed by Knights of Columbus Rosary.

Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with the Rev. David Hulshof officiating.

Burial will be in St Mary Cemetery, with full military honors by the Missouri Honor Team.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

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