James Wissinger

CAIRO, Ill. -- James R. "Jimmy" Wissinger, 78, of Cairo passed away Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2006, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Nov. 2,1927, in Cairo, son of Lloyd "Pete" and Stella Mae Brimm. He and Ann Dyas were married Dec. 16, 1948.

Mr. Wissinger was a pressman 20 years at Cairo Evening Citizen. He later sold insurance for Metropolitan Life Insurance and Franklin Life Insurance companies. He was also a professional photographer for the Cairo Evening Citizen and area businesses and events. He was employed by city of Cairo under Mayor Al Moss.

He had served several terms over the years as a Cairo city council member and as Alexander County commissioner. He also served 58 years with Cairo Auxiliary Fire Department, serving in the position of assistant fire chief.

He was also a member of the board of directors who organized the Shawnee Development Council. Mr. Wissinger had also been honored by the Cairo Jaycees as the Man of the Year.

He was a lifelong resident of Cairo, and was a true advocate of his hometown at all times and with all people. Mr. Wissinger was also a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2649, having served his country in the U.S. Army in occupied Japan following World War II. He was a member of Tigert Memorial United Methodist Church in Cairo.

Mr. Wissinger is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ann Wissinger of Cairo; a daughter, Judy Nordman (Ernie) of Cape Girardeau; four sons, Randy Wissinger (Linda) of New Berlin, Wis., Jeff Wissinger (Mary Helen) of Cairo, Alec Wissinger (Diane) of Thompsonville, Ill., John Paul Wissinger (Lisa) of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Mary Elizabeth Johnson of Leander, Texas; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Wissinger was preceded in death by his great-aunt and great-uncle, Lizzie and Frank Youch.

Friends may call at Barkett Funeral Home in Cairo from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Tigert Memorial United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Kelly Cox officiating. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery at Villa Ridge, Ill.

Honorary casketbearers will be members of Cairo Auxiliary Fire and Rescue Department.

At the request of the family, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Tigert Memorial United Methodist Church, 3302 Washington Avenue, Cairo, Ill., 62914, in memory of Mr. Wissinger.