John "Steve" Laufketter

Mr. John Stephen "Steve" Laufketter, died Wednesday, May 9, 2007, in Ocean Springs, MS. after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on August 3, 1953, and was raised in St. Louis County, MO. where he graduated from Ritenour School District in 1971. He was a dispatcher for the St. Louis County Police Department prior to his enlistment in the US Air Force. After his discharge from the service, he obtained his FAA Airframe and Powerplant license and accepted a position with Lockheed Corporation in Los Angeles, CA. After that, he spent twenty-five years with Bekaert Specialty Films, LLC in San Diego where he was Manager of the Coating and Laminating Department. In August of 2005, he and his wife, Jackie moved to Ocean Springs to be near family. While here, he was employed by Bailey Lumber Company. Steve is survived by his wife of 29 years, Jackie (nee Shelton), his son, Michael John, parents Sally and John "Jack" Laufketter, sister, Nancy Lokitz and husband Shelly, all of Ocean Springs, MS., nephews Stephen Lokitz and wife Kyla of Durham, NC, Bradley Lokitz and wife Rachel of Hattiesburg, MS., a great-niece, Ellie Kate Lokitz of Durham, NC, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Curt and Norma Shelton, brother-in-law, John Shelton, sister-in-law, Sherry Pate, sister-in-law, Naomi Brown and husband Donnie, sister-in-law, Susie Tower, sister-in-law, Johnnie Clark and husband Keith, sister-in-law, Lyla Smith and husband Ty, all of Warrenton, MO, sister-in-law, Virginia Brauch and husband Don of Dallas, TX., eighteen nephews and nieces and thirteen great-nephews and nieces. On Wednesday, May 16, 2007, there will be a memorial visitation from 5-7 PM at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorial donations be made to the Ocean Springs Hospice of Light or the National Cancer Institute (http:fmb.cancer.gov/contribute/giftfund.htm) with designation for pancreatic cancer research.