James Litzelfelner

James Reed Litzelfelner, 76, of Jackson died on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2003, at his home.

He was born on Feb. 17, 1927, at Elvins, Mo., the son of Odus and Ethel Masterson Litzelfelner.

He married Belle Niswonger on June 14, 1947.

He graduated from Jackson High School in 1944 and was drafted in the Navy in World War II. He served in the Navy from June 27, 1945 to July 31, 1946.

He owned Litz Brothers Creamery, Hatchery and Farm. He owned Litz Brothers Poultry for 25 years with operations in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Piggott, Ark.

He founded Gas and Co. on U.S. 61 between Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

He moved to Dallas, Texas, where he owned and operated Chicken Litz Restaurant for a few years before moving back to Jackson, where he was involved in the operation of Bent Creek Golf Course.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church at Jackson, the Excelsior Lodge AF&AM in Jackson, American Legion Post 158 in Jackson and the Moolah Shriners in St. Louis. He was past president of the Jackson Optimist Club, past alderman in Jackson and past member of the Jackson Elks Club.

He was one of the organizers of the American Legion Baseball field in Jackson and the Kimbeland Country Club. He was a Benchwarmer member and public address announcer for Jackson High School football games.

He was a candidate for state representative in 1978. He coached Little League baseball and was a coach of the American Legion baseball team.

He was an all-district linebacker and elected Big Chief in his senior year in high school, where he was voted most athletic. He was an avid golfer.

He also attended Southeast Missouri State University.

Survivors include a son, James Litzelfelner Jr. of Jackson; a daughter and son-in-law, Victoria Lynn and John Abernathy of Jackson; a daughter, Wendy Leigh Hayes of Jackson; two brothers, Jack Litzelfelner of Jackson and Joe Litzelfelner of Granbury, Texas; two sisters, Phyllis Vickrey of Jackson and Barbara Gorski of St. Louis; and three grandchildren, Amanda Eakins, Lacey Hayes and Andrew Litzelfelner.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Odus and Ralph Litzelfelner, and five sisters, LaDonne Wilson, O'Dean Weir, Kathleen Gebhard, Rosemary Bradsher and Margaret Miltenberger.

Friends may call Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Chapel in Cape Girardeau. American Legion Post 158 of Jackson will hold an honor guard ceremony at the funeral chapel at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Jackson. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Rob Litzelfelner, Mike Litzelfelner, David Turner, Chris Miltenberger, Lew Miltenberger, Phil Bradsher and Greg Bradsher.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Turner, Bill Call, Kelly Blackman, Bob Morrison, Randy Fronabarger and Charles Vickrey.