Obituary of James LaMelle Schwinegruber

James LaMelle "Mel" Schwinegruber Mr. Schwinegruber, 86, died early Wednesday Morning, April 11, 2012 at his home in New Castle, Delaware. Born March 6, 1926, in Datto, Arkansas, he was the third son of James Henry and Beulah Mae Johnson Schwinegruber. He resided in St. Louis County for 40 years and overseas 14 years in Germany, Bahrain, Korea and the Azores before returning to states. Serving his country in the Army at the end of WWII, he was assigned to occupational duty in the Philippines. In Manila, he was in charge of the Royal Japanese Imperial Guards. He was honorably discharged in 1947. James was united in marriage on April 4, 1964, at the Missionary Baptist Church in Corning, Arkansas to Patricia Gail Robinson. He worked as a driver for Allied, Global and New World Van Lines. He was a proud member of Teamsters Local 610 in St. Louis, Missouri; American Legion Post #4 of Delaware, and a member of National Active and Retired Federal Employees, Chapter 85 of Newark, DE. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Henry Excell and Jenning LaDelle Schwinegruber. Survivors include his cherished wife of 48 years, Patricia Gail Schwinegruber of New Castle, DE.; one brother, Wesley E. L. and wife Ede Schwinegruber of Sun City, CA; one sister, Pauline Schwinegruber Crites of Jackson, MO; two stepchildren, Gail LeJune VanScoyk of New Castle, DE., Richard Hoagland and wife Elizabeth Mary VanScoyk; four grandchildren, Kathryn Marie and husband David Brandon MacFarland , Patrick Michael, Margaret Rose, and Caroline Anne VanScoyk all of St. Charles, MO. and 6 great grandchildren several nephews, nieces, other relatives and many friends. Cremation was done by Congo Funeral Home of Wilmington, DE. Memorial service will be held at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry, Missouri, April 29, at 1:00 pm. Inunrnment will be in the Elsberry CityCemetery. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the MissouriSchool for the Deaf and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home;107 South Fifth Street, Elsberry MO 63343.