Vincent Joseph Distler

Vincent J. "Vince" Distler, 92, of Jefferson City, died Tuesday, April 16, 2013, at Oak Tree Villas. He was born September 19, 1920, in Jefferson City, Missouri, son of the late Otto G. and Christine (Lehman) Distler. He graduated from St. Peter High School class of 1939. He served three years with the United States Air Force during World War II. During his last year with the Air Force serving in the South Pacific area as a crew member on a B-24, S/Sgt. Distler was awarded the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters for combat missions in the Pacific area. After discharge from the Air Force in Santa Ana, California on September 17, 1945, he returned to Jefferson City for a short time. He then went to Denver, Colorado for studies in order to go to work for the Union Pacific Railroad. He worked 35 years with the Union Pacific, the last 27 in their Traffic Department. His assignments included several years in the Railroad's Department of Tours as a tour escort and tour representative in Chicago and Philadelphia. Appointments also included Freight and Passenger sales service in Philadelphia. The last 17 years with Union Pacific was dealing with freight sales residing in Syracuse, New York reporting to their New York City office. After retiring he returned to Jefferson City. He worked part time for some years for Jefferson Bank. He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, American Legion, and past member of numerous Traffic Clubs while with the Union Pacific. Mr. Distler is survived by companion Marilyn J. Biesemeyer, two sisters, Isidora A. Meyer and Lorene E. Kroeger both of Jefferson City. Mr. Distler is also survived by a special niece, Janet (Dennis) Veit and special nephew, Steven (Pam) Kroeger. He was also preceded in death by a brother Herbert Distler and sister Virginia Mae Wingrath. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home. Entombment with military honors will be in Resurrection Mausoleum. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Vogelweid Learning Center in honor of Vince's brother Herbert Distler, 314 West High Street, Jefferson City, Mo 65101. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.