Edward Theodore Kottwitz

Edward Theodore Kottwitz a lifelong resident of the Bland community died Wednesday, Sept 23, 2009, in the Missouri Veteran Home in St. James. Eddie was born on May 25, 1930, in Bland. He is the son of the late Paul Kottwitz and Edna Kappleman Kottwitz Pack. On Apr 12, 1952, Eddie was married to Ola Fern Biehl and 2 children were born.
Surviving Eddie is his wife Fern of the home, a son Dale with his wife Connie and their family Samantha Kottwitz and Tony Bastunas, and Donna Temme with her husband Ronald and their family Cassandra Temme Price and husband Michael, Richard Temme, and Patrick Temme. Also surviving are 2 sisters Esther Wandersee of Eureka and Dorothy Crider and husband Jim of St. Charles, and one brother Arthur Kottwitz of Bland.
Eddie is preceded in death by two sisters Earlene Pope and Ruth Pack Stegeman, and one brother Alvin Kottwitz.
Eddie enlisted in the Army in 1948 and was discharged into the reserves one year later. He returned to active duty in 1950 and served in the 8th Calvary Regiment in Korea. He earned three campaign stars, the Korean metal, a combat infantry badge and three bronze stars for heroism in ground combat. He was wounded in central Korea in July of 1951 and honorably discharged in September.
Eddie worked in the International Shoe factory in Bland before and after serving in the army. He retired in 1990 after working 20 years for Laclede Christy in Owensville. Eddie's choice of occupations was farming.