Jesse Ercil McNabb, 90, died April 14, 2023. Mr. McNabb served in the U.S. Air Force from March 1953 to March 1957 as a weather observer and meteorologist and served one year in Korea. He was a member of the Korean War Veterans Chapter in Jefferson County and participated in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2013. After the military, he earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla and worked as a professional engineer in the fluid power motion control industries for 38 years. He was an inventor, having designed and created automated systems for major companies such as Anheuser Busch. He also performed service work on river boats and the Earthquake attraction at Disneyworld. He lived in Oklahoma, Georgia, Tennessee and Missouri throughout his life. Mr. McNabb was a member of Charter Baptist Church in Festus for 45 years and enjoyed cycling, hunting, fishing, eating good food and spending time with his family and friends. Born Feb. 4, 1933, in Belgrade, he was the son of the late Kate and Clarence McNabb.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years: Bernadine (Younker) McNabb; three children: Sonia (Dennis) McNabb Cowart, Anthony (Kristi) McNabb and Julie (Matthew Hatloy) McNabb; a brother: Ralph (Diane) McNabb; four grandchildren: Ryan (Kelsey) and Elizabeth McNabb and Devin and Patrick Cowart; three step-grandchildren: Amber, Dylan and Austin; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by four sisters: Nina, Dorothy, Mary and Bonnie; and six brothers: Lynn, Frank, Herb, Harold, James and Kenneth.
A funeral service was held April 19 at DeClue Funeral Home in Potosi. Burial with full military honors by the U.S. Air Force and VFW Post 6947 was in the Caledonia Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Charter Baptist Church, 15267 Hwy. T, Festus, 63028; or to the Missouri Veterans Endeavors (assisting homeless veterans), 8410 Engler Park Court, St. Louis, 63114. Arrangements are under the direction of DeClue Funeral Home.