Bernard Gustave Altheuser

Bernard (Ben) Gustave Altheuser, 92, of Jefferson City, passed away Thursday, July 26, 2012, at home, surrounded by his family. He was born July 19, 1920, in Westphalia Mo., the son of the late Hermann G. Altheuser and Mary W. (Kleffner) Altheuser. He was united in marriage to Virginia Catherine Brauner on July 7, 1951, who preceded him in death on July 28, 1994. Bernard was a construction foreman for the Army engineers. He was involved in campaigns for D-Day at Normandy, Northern France, Battle of the Bulge at Rhineland, and throughout central Europe. He also received the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with Four Bronze Stars. After his military service he worked as a foreman for Goldhammer Construction. He then formed his own construction business in Jefferson City known as Altheuser Construction from 1969-1984. He was a member of St. Peters Catholic Church where he was responsible for church renovations in 1978. He was known for his green thumb and loved to garden with a reputation for the best tomatoes. He loved sports especially the St. Louis Cardinals. He is survived by two sisters, Caroline Starke of Frankenstein and Marie Altheuser of Jefferson City; five children, Cathleen McGeorge (Carl), of Fulton, Gerald Altheuser (Debbie Schaeffer, friend) of Tebbetts, Janet McGeorge (Art), of Jefferson City, Bernice Vest (Ezra), of Tebbetts, Kenneth Altheuser (Carol), of Jefferson City, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by three brothers, Albert Altheuser, Edward Altheuser and John Altheuser; and three sisters, Agnes Altheuser, Clara Altheuser, Loretta Altheuser and two grandchildren, Charles Vest and Kevin Vest. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 31, 2012, at St. Peter Catholic Church with the Rev. Gregory C. Meystrik, officiating. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 3:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to SMS Hospice Home Care at St. Mary's Health Center, Jefferson City or donor's choice. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.