JESSE CALLIS

MCCLURE, Ill. -- Jesse Callis, 91, of East Alton died Tuesday, May 23, 2000, at his home.

He was born April 19,1909, in Grand Tower, son of Marion Jasper and Edith Todd Callis. He and Helen Lucille Colyer were married March 26, 1932, in Cairo. She died July 29, 1987.

Formerly of McClure, he had worked at Olin Corp. in East Alton. He was a graduate of Grand Tower Community High School.

Callis served in the U.S. Army from June 1943 to November 1945. He received the Victory Medal, three Overseas Service Bars, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, three Bronze Battle Stars, and a Good Conduct Medal.

Survivors include two sons, Marvin Edwards of Spanish Lake, Mo., Paul "Pete" Edwards of Godfrey; two daughters, Janet Behr of East Alton, Judy Dunn of East Cape Girardeau; a brother, Howard Callis of Bonita Springs, Fla.; two sisters, Helena McGinnis of Chicago, Marie Pitts of Kell; 13 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Chapel in Cape Girardeau, Mo., from 5-8 p.m. today.

Funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at the chapel, with the Rev. Danny Jones officiating. Burial will be in Lindsey Cemetery at McClure, with graveside rites by VFW Post 3838 of Cape Girardeau.