JAMES E. WEST

ANNA, Ill. -- James E. West Sr. of Anna died Monday, Oct. 13, 1997, at Union County Hospital n Anna. He was 77 years old.

He was born June 21, 1920, in Anna, the son of Percy M. and Lona Rainer West. He married Doris Andrews on July 1, 1944.

He was a veteran of World War II and earned the Distinguished Flying Cross as a B-17 crew member with the 8th Air Force in Europe. He attended the University of Illinois prior to his military service and was a graduate of Southern Illinois University.

He was a teacher at Dongola High School before entering business. He was the owner and operator of West Brothers Inc. in Anna and later worked at the Illinois Fruit Growers Exchange in Cobden.

He was an active member of Mount Moriah Lutheran Church in Anna, where he served on the church council. He has served as a member of Anna District 37 Board of Education and the Stinson Memorial Library board. He was a life member of Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 3455 in Anna.

He is survived by his wife of the home; two sons, James Jr. of Jonesboro and K. Andrew of Marion; a daughter, Betsy Harris of Clinton; 10 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at Lutz and Rendleman Funeral Home in Anna from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Mount Moriah Lutheran Church, followed by graveside military rites conducted by VFW Post 3455.