Martin "Junior" VanGennip

Martin F. "Junior" VanGennip, 81, of Cape Girardeau died Saturday, May 9, 2009 at St. Francis Medical Center. He was born on November 15, 1927 in Lutesville, MO to Martin H. and Rose C. Heimsath VanGennip. Junior was married to Janie M. Laurentius on February 23, 1952. She preceded him in death in January 2006. Junior was a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Japan. He was a member of the American Legion Post 158. Prior to his career as a diesel mechanic, he delivered gas for Standard Oil in Lutesville, MO. Junior worked for Harris Truck & Trailer Sales for 37 years and for Genesis Transportation until he retired. After retiring, he worked with his son at Jansen Tractor Sales, Inc. His favorite hobbies were hunting, fishing and woodworking. He was the man who could fix anything and he loved being a handyman and mechanic to anyone in need. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Cape Girardeau and an active member of the St. Vincent Men�s Association. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Bonita VanGennip of Cape; a daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Philip A. Cantoni of Cape; four grandchildren, Jennifer (Matt) Pobst , Kristen VanGennip, Erika and Nick Cantoni all of Cape. Also surviving are Junior�s brother and sister-in-law, John and Wilma VanGennip of Leopold, MO; a brother, Edward VanGennip of St. Louis, MO; a sister, Rose Marie Laurentius of Cape; 5 nephews, 4 nieces and many loving friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph and Mary Laurentius of Bloomfield, MO; two infant brothers, Henry and Theodore; an infant granddaughter, Melissa VanGennip; a brother-in-law, Alfred Laurentius of Cape; and two nephews, Ray Laurentius of Cape and Steve VanGennip of Leopold. Friends may call at Ford and Sons Funeral Home on Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau from 4 to 8 pm Tuesday, May 12, 2009 with parish prayers and a rosary at 7pm. Funeral mass will be at 10 am Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, with the Rev. David Hulshof officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary�s Catholic Cemetery in Cape Girardeau. Graveside military rites will be provided by Missouri Honors Team. In lieu of flowers and plants, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to the St. Vincent�s Men�s Association, Notre Dame Regional High School of Cape or the Missouri Veteran�s Home.

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Martin "Junior" VanGennip

May 9, 2009