Jack Waggener

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Major General (Ret) John "Jack" Waggener, 91, of Cape Girardeau, passed away Friday, Feb. 3, 2017, at The Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau after a brief illness.

Jack was born Aug. 17, 1925, in Gideon and grew up in Charleston where he graduated from high school before joining the U.S. Army and eventually attending and graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1948. Jack then quickly returned to Charleston to marry his sweetheart, Mary Ella Drake, of Charleston before beginning an exciting and rewarding 33 year career as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Survivors include three sons, John Jr. (Karen) of Cape Girardeau, Drake of Telluride, Colo., Robert of Norwood, Colo.; a daughter, Mary, of Cape Girardeau; one grandson, Peyton of Manama, Bahrain; and one granddaughter, Laura of Lexington, Va.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Ella, brother, Marion Waggener of Charleston; and sister, Gerry Getty of Little Rock, Ark.

A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel.

A family graveside service will follow later that day at the IOOF Cemetery in Charleston.

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

Memorial contributions

may be made to:

Charleston United

Methodist Church

1700 E. Marshall St.

Charleston, MO 63834

or

Centenary United

Methodist Church

300 N. Ellis St.

Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Paid obituary