James Ottinger

SIKESTON, Mo. -- James D. Ottinger, 72, of Sikeston died Sunday, May 19, 2002, at John J. Pershing VA Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

He was born Jan. 14, 1930, in Friendship, Tenn., son of Ivan A. and Bessie M. Higer Ottinger. He and Betty Flanagan were married March 5, 1954, in Mississippi.

Ottinger had worked at Ford Motor Co. in St. Louis and at Parker Brothers Farms in Matthews, Mo. He was a member of Murray Lane Baptist Church.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, David Ottinger of Bell City, Mo., Donald Ottinger of Sikeston; a daughter, Marla Sprouse of Steele, Mo.; two brothers, Donald Ottinger of Sikeston, Paul Ottinger of Farmington, Mo.; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, five brothers, and two sisters.

Friends may call at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the chapel, with the Rev. Kelley Grubbs officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with full military rites conducted by Missouri Military Funeral Honors Guard.