Alvin Clingingsmith

Alvin "Jake" Clingingsmith, 84, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2004, at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born June 8, 1919, at Neelys Landing, son of Charles F. and Bessie Lou Sides Clingingsmith. He and Alma Hanselmann were married June 29, 1943, in Jackson.

Jake was inducted into the U.S. Army Oct. 16, 1942, and served in the Asiatic and Pacific Theatres during World War II. He was honorably discharged Dec. 13, 1945.

He worked at the former Jackson Handle Factory, Penzel Construction, and the former Jackson Lumber Co. He then worked 33 years for the city of Jackson as the power plant operator and then for the fire department, retiring in 1982. He also owned and operated Jake's Water Service 33 years, retiring in 1992.

He was a member of Emanuel United Church of Christ in Jackson, formerly served on the church council and was active in the Men's Fellowship. He was a 56-year member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson, Excelsior Lodge 441 in Jackson, and the Sword of Bunker Hill.

Loving survivors include his wife, Alma of Jackson; a son, Robert Clingingsmith of Norfork, Ark.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Connie and Roger Friedrich of Cape Girardeau, Debbie and Teddy Scholl of Jackson; and a sister, Helen Humes of Jackson.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Nicole Hazelwood and husband Tommy, Keely and Kyle Clingingsmith, Shannon and Blake Friedrich, Andrew, Jacob, Amanda and Joshua Scholl; and two great-grandchildren, Brittany Hazelwood and Layne Friedrich.

He was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Karen Clingingsmith; a brother, George Clingingsmith; and two sisters, Beulah Dickerson and Onis Sides.

Friends may call at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday. An American Legion service will be held at 7 p.m.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Sam Roethemeyer officiating. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery near Fruitland, with graveside military honors.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Emanuel United Church of Christ, St. John's Cemetery Fund or New Bethel Cemetery Fund.