Joseph H. Saeger's Obituary
Dr. Joseph Mathew Saeger, son of William and Maria Welter Saeger, was born June 17, 1913, in Kansas City, Kansas. He departed this life Monday, August 7, 2006, in St. John’s Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-three years, one month, and twenty days. On January 8, 1945, he was united in marriage to Evelyn Elizabeth Bouknight, and to this union five daughters were born. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn, on April 5, 1998; a daughter, Vivian Rose Saeger Smith; two brothers, John William and Larry Saeger; and a sister, Eva Moroney. Joe is survived by four daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Jim Sober, of Willcox, Arizona, Angela Cass and Tom Prost, of Waterloo, Illinois, Joan and Ken Harris, of St. Peters, Missouri, and Rita and John Cole, of Springfield, Missouri; five grandsons; one granddaughter; two great-grandchildren; a special friend, Jean Wehner, of Lebanon, Missouri; Jean’s children, that were his extended family, Bob and Kathie Wehner, Tom and Barbara Wehner, John and Carolyn Wehner, JoAnn Overstreet, Kathy and Jim Schuyler, Ron and Pam Wehner, Pat and Karen Wehner, Mark and Missie Wehner, and Nancy and Jerry Musice; a large number of Jean’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two dear friends and caregivers, Wilda Rogers, and Faye Breeden, of Lebanon, Missouri; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends. He was born to immigrant parents from Germany who spoke mostly German in their home. He attended grade school at the Holy Cross Catholic School and then graduated from high school. He served his country faithfully in the United States Navy from 1931 until 1935 and worked as an electrician. He then attended Cleveland Chiropractic College and earned his degree and license in 1939. From 1939 until 1942, he returned to the Navy where he was a pharmacist mate. He was injured while being stationed on the U. S. S. Randolph in the Pacific Theater during World War II, and was hospitalized for quite some time before being honorably discharged in 1946. He and Evelyn moved to Lebanon soon after they were married, and Joe opened a Chiropractic Clinic in downtown Lebanon. In December of 1959, he moved to a new office on Adams Street, across from the court house, where he later built the new Saeger Centre. He and Evelyn built their home in Sunset Park in 1968, and lovingly raised their five daughters. Joe was an active member of St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church in Lebanon and served on the Church Council for many years. He also was involved in the Knights of Columbus and other committees within the church. In 1958, Joe was president of the Missouri Chiropractic Association and was responsible for starting the continuing education requirement for licensure. He was a fifty year member of the Lebanon Rotary Club and served as President in 1969 - 1970. He served on the Housing and Urban Development Board in Lebanon for over thirty years, most of that time in the capacity of President. During his time on the board he was involved in the construction of Adams Place, Vernon Heights, and Madison Manor. For over twenty-six years, Joe was the official weatherman for Lebanon as he kept track of the temperature, rainfall and other statistics for the National Weather Service. Each of his daughters helped in the recording of the readings as they became old enough, and when his youngest daughter went off to college, he turned the job over to the KJEL Radio Station. His basic hobby for most of his life was playing bridge and he also taught the game to many people over the years. He also enjoyed doing woodworking projects, gardening, and was an avid reader. Joe was a loving family man, a dedicated and compassionate doctor, a devoted community leader, and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he made for his family and friends. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 11, 2006, in St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church. Buial will be in the Calvary (Catholic) Cemetery. Rosary Services will begin at 7:00 p.m. Thursday with visitation to follow in the funeral home. Services are under the direction of Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Lebanon, Missouri. Memorial contributions to St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church Charity Fund may be made through the funeral home.
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