James Bourland

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- James Leroy Bourland, 85, of Chaffee, formerly of Wood River, Illinois, died at 1:05 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, at Chaffee Nursing Center after a lengthy illness.

James was born June 15, 1935, in East Alton, Illinois, to James and Evelyn Spradley.

He married Elizabeth Tudor on Aug. 16, 1958. They had four children, John and Marianne, both of Jackson; Gabrielle Taul of Clayton, Missouri; and Mike of Godfrey, Illinois. He has five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He later married Essie "Gene" Duren on Dec. 1, 1995. She has preceded him in death.

James' work history included Cook's Paints, Illinois Terminal Railroad of Alton, Illinois, and Houston Belt Terminal Railroad, from which he retired.

James served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1958.

Crain Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cape Girardeau is handling arrangements.

To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family visit www.crainsonline.com.