James Gihring

ALTENBURG, Mo. -- James E. Gihring, 63, of Altenburg died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at his home.

He was born Sept. 8, 1943, in St. Louis, son of Arnold and Marie Schroeder Gihring. He and Doris Koenig Petzoldt were married July 12, 1975.

Gihring served in the U.S. Navy from 1967 to 1972.

He graduated from Lutheran South High School in Affton, Mo., in 1961. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1965 with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, and received a master of arts degree in elementary counseling in 1971.

After graduation he taught in several area public schools including Altenburg and Sikeston, Mo., serving as a counselor, principal, and superintendent at those and other schools. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells.

Survivors include his wife; five sons, Mark Gihring and Larry Petzoldt of Altenburg, Gary and Duane Petzoldt of Jackson, Terry Petzoldt of Kansas City, Kan.; a daughter, Sherry Piazza of Old Monroe, Mo.; two brothers, Thomas Gihring of Seattle, Wash., Paul Gihring of New Berlin, Wis.; two sisters, Virginia Winkelmann of Naperville, Ill., Betty Zink of Surprise, Ariz.; 13 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter.

Friends may call today from 4 to 8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, and after 9 a.m. Saturday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells.

The funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the church, with the Rev. Walter Patzwitz officiating. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery at New Wells, with a military honors service to be conducted.