James Harnes

ADVANCE, Mo. -- James John Harnes Sr., 94, of Advance passed away Monday, Dec. 2, 2013, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born May 23, 1919, in Advance, son of Leonard and Nellie Beard Harnes.

James took over the family insurance agency in the 1950s. In 1972 he became an auditor for the Missouri Department of Insurance. He was mayor of Advance from 1992 until 2009. He was a member of Advance First Baptist Church, Gideons, and Lakewood Masonic Lodge 489 AF&AM. He served on the Veterans Home Foundation board of directors many years, volunteered at Missouri Veterans Home 20 years, and was also on the board of directors of Cross Trails Medical Center.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II. He served 20 years retiring, as a captain.

James and Sarah LaVelle were married Nov. 12, 1942, at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. She preceded him in death March 7, 1990. He later married Mildred Fowler Jan. 25, 1992, in Advance.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred Harnes of Advance; a son, James J. (Alice) Harnes Jr. of Brownsville, Texas; two daughters, Sondra (Jim) Selway of Falls Church, Va., and Sheila (Larry) Gray of Jackson; a stepson, Stephen Irvin of Sugar Creek, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; former wife, Sarah; four brothers; five sisters; and a grandson.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Morgan Funeral Chapel. A Masonic service will be at 7 p.m.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the chapel, with the Revs. Eric Shrum and Brad Moore officiating. Burial will be in Missouri State Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield, with full military rites.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Stoddard County Children's Home or Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.