South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Funeral services set Thursday for Missouri National Guard member

Funeral services for Missouri National Guard Staff Sgt. Robert J. Traxel, 34, of Union, will be conducted at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 12, at Kutis South County Chapel, 5255 Lemay Ferry Road.

Staff Sgt. Traxel, an Oakville Senior High School graduate, died July 2 while performing his annual training duties in support of Beyond the Horizon Guatemala. He was a public affairs broadcast specialist with the 70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, based at Jefferson City.

Staff Sgt. Traxel joined the unit and the Missouri National Guard on April 19 after more than seven years of prior service with the active Army and Marines.

The Traxel Children Memorial Fund has been established for Staff Sgt. Traxel’s four children at River Region Credit Union, 3608 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City. Donations may be sent to the attention of Dana Alderman.

The honorable transfer of remains is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today — Tuesday — at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, 10701 Lambert International Blvd.

Visitation for Staff Sgt. Traxel will from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Kutis South County Chapel. Interment will follow Thursday’s funeral services at Midlawn Gardens, 7280 Highway 47, Union.

For more detailed information about Staff Sgt. Traxel, visit

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Gov. Jay Nixon has ordered that U.S. and Missouri flags at state buildings in all 114 counties and the city of St. Louis be flown at half-staff Thursday to honor the bravery and sacrifice of Staff Sgt. Traxel.

In addition, Nixon has ordered that U.S. and Missouri flags at all state buildings in Franklin County be flown at half-staff from July 13 to July 18.

“The men and women of the Missouri National Guard demonstrate self-sacrifice every day, no matter if they are serving in Missouri or in countries around the world,” Nixon stated in a news release. “The family, friends and colleagues of Staff Sgt. Traxel are in our prayers, as we remember this brave citizen-soldier who served not only in the Guard, but also during deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as both an active duty Soldier and Marine. He answered the call of duty many times, and our state and nation are grateful.”

Staff Sgt. Traxel’s awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal (two awards), the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star (two awards), the Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (2 awards), the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat and Special Skill Badge Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Bar, Weapon: Rifle [Inscription: Rifle]), the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Overseas Service Bar.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 5:54 p.m. Tuesday with information about the governor ordering U.S and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff.