THE LOSS OF LARRY WAYNE FECHT

It is with profound sadness that I share this information with our family.

Larry Fecht, the son of Althea and Frank Fecht has died near his home in Mexico, Missouri.  According to his sister, our kinswoman Jo Ann, Larry had suffered a stroke resulting from a blood clot and was in the Audrain Hospital.

Larry passed away on the 20^th of October 2011.  Burial arrangements are being made at the Arnold Funeral home in Mexico. 

WEDDING OF DAMON AND REBECCA FECHT

These are candid photographs taken of the wedding of Damon and Rebecca Fecht on July 3, 2011 at Orcutt Ranch in Chatsworth, California. Our lifelong friend Linda Moore captured these images.

 Rebecca and Damon share their wedding kiss, while Jake closes his eyes over such mushy stuff. Behind Jake is best man Ryan Bates.

 The newest Fecht family is introduced to guests under a great English oak tree.

 Rebecca and Damon share their wedding dance on the patio of historic Orcutt Ranch.

 The new Fecht family leaves the wedding ceremony.

Janne Fecht enjoys getting her son Damon to smile on his wedding day. Behind them Dave Tulk dances with his daughter Rebecca.

JAMES FECHT PURSUES THE AMERICAN DREAM - 1949

Most veterans, returning home at the conclusion of WWII, were determined to make the American dream a reality. Thousands of homes were built in the San Fernando Valley, and many young vets, like Joe Hosler and Jim Fecht started their own businesses. Jim and Joe bought a pickup truck, acquired electrical contractors' licenses, and opened up shop. These images were among the effects donated to The Museum by James Fecht just before his death. (click on images to enlarge)

 Photo 2722 - Pickup truck belonging to James Fecht and Joseph Hosler - 1949

 Photo 2721 - left Joe Hosler, right James Fecht with their new truck.  1949 - North Hollywood, gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Jim Fecht 2009.

Photo 2723 - James Fecht in North Hollywood, California in 1949. The location was on Elmer Avenue, an area removed for the construction of the 101 freeway. Jim was a World War II Marine.

JODY FECHT c. 1944

Jody Fecht, Mexico R-Co’s coon dog fancier, poses with four of his pets. The matched pair of “reds” ... are the money, having picked up an impressive array of ribbons at shows. The frisky pup who chose to turn his back on the camera is a new acquisition. His intensive hunting training is just beginning. 

Note: Mexico R-Co is likely a brick factory called the Mexico Refractory Company.
This article was among James L. Fecht's files. 

THOMAS WAYNE FECHT DURING WWII

Fecht and Donaldson Visit Friends at Plant (very likely the Mexico Refractory Company  in Mexico, Missouri).


Thomas Fecht                   Frank Donaldson
(click on image to enlarge) 

"Looking things over at the plant where they formerly worked, Tom Fecht S 1-C (Seaman First Class) and Frank Donaldson, AMM 2-C took time off from their visiting long enought to be snapped by the Staff Photographer.
  Tom, who formerly was a wheeler on the Dock, recently returned from the Pacific Theater, where he participated in the invasion of Mindanao. He is a gunner on a VP - invasion craft. He wears ribbons for the American Theater , Asiatic- Pacific Theater, and Philipines Liberation with one star.
 Frank, who has been in the Navy for 18 months, is stationed in Nevada. His duties call for engine changes on airplanes. Frank's two brothers, Elmer and Walter, also former Mexico Refractory Company employees are in the service.

Our kinsman Thomas Wayne Fecht was born on the 3rd of January 1926 in Mexico, Audrain County, Missouri. He was the son of Leonora Pearl (Hall) and Lawrence Matthew Fecht.
This newsletter was found in the effects of James L. Fecht in Tarzana, California 2009.

SAINT BRENDAN BASEBALL TEAM

Saint Brendan High School Baseball Team. Upper left corner is Robert Fecht. I am awaiting his identification of the other team members. Year unknown.

THE LOSS OF DOROTHY FECHT FETTERHOFF

Dorothy Fetterhoff
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Dorothy Eileen Fetterhoff, 89, of Jackson and formerly a well-known business owner of Fetterhoff True Value Hardware in Marble Hill, Mo., died Sunday, Sept. 5, 2010, at Jackson Manor Nursing Home.

She was born Aug. 4, 1921, in Mexico, Mo., the daughter of William Thomas and Mildred Irene Crites Fecht.

She attended 12 years of school at St. Brendan's School in Mexico, graduating as class valedictorian in 1939. She worked as the society editor and reporter for the Mexico newspapers.

She and Elmer Clyde Fetterhoff were married June 30, 1940, at St. Brendan Church in Mexico. After 60 years of marriage, Elmer preceded Dorothy in death July 6, 2000.

Dorothy and Elmer and their family came to Lutesville, Mo., in 1950 where they owned and operated Fetterhoff's Western Auto Store, later changing to Fetterhoff's Furniture and True Value Hardware. After 27 years they retired and sold the business to their oldest son, Bill, and his wife, Carol.

Dorothy was active in civic, business and school affairs. She was instrumental in organizing the Marble Hill-Lutesville Business Club and served a number of times as president. She was a member of St. John Catholic Church at Leopold, where for 25 years she co-chaired the Olde Gifte Shop at the annual church picnic. She was a past president of the Junior Woman's Club, and received the Woman of the Year Award, along with a club recognition of the Shell Award for their successful effort to establish a medical doctor in the community. She attended Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson following her move to Jackson.

She is survived by four children, William G. (Carol) Fetterhoff and Anita E. (Bill) Fahrenkrog, both of Jackson, Thomas W. Fetterhoff of Enterprise, Fla., and Carl E. Fetterhoff of Springfield, Mo.; eight grandchildren, K. Scott Fetterhoff, Tamara Davault, both of Marble Hill, Cynthia Hayes of Lincoln, Neb., Mary Catherine Hoffman of Perryville, Mo., Elizabeth Anne Fetterhoff of Deland, Fla., Cheryl Hubbard of Enterprise, Monica Warner of Bristol, Fla., and Michael Fetterhoff of Seffer, Fla.; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Genevieve Rebbe of Everett, Wa.; and two brothers, Dr. Gerald Fecht of Tarzana, Calif., and Robert W. Fecht of Clermont, Fla.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2010, at Hutchings Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill.

Parish prayers will be at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

A funeral Mass will be at St. John Catholic Church at Leopold at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept 9, with Father John Harth officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.