Jim Below Sr.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- James Joseph "Jim" Below Sr., 68, of Sikeston died Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, at his home.

Born June 9, 1948, in Cape Girardeau to the late James R. and Carmen Brennecke Below, he previously resided in Cape Girardeau, Delta and Iola, Kansas. A retired heavy-equipment salesman, he served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of Local 513 IUOE for 51 years. Also, he had served as a clerk in the Common Pleas Court of Cape Girardeau County and was the sheriff of Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department. He was a member of the American Legion, serving as commander and volunteer in Iola, and was an active member of Miner Baptist Church.

On Oct. 27, 2000, in Blytheville, Arkansas, he married Mary Dement Below, who survives of the home.

Other survivors include four sons and three daughters-in-law, Jim Below II and wife Dana of Advance, Missouri, Tim Below and wife Megan and Andrew Below of Cape Girardeau and Lynn Below and wife Barb of Oran, Missouri; one daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly Below Pettit and husband Dallas of Oran; two stepdaughters, Jennifer Keller and Audrey Keller of the home; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Sam and Tammy Below of Delta and George and Debbie Below of Oak Ridge; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Martha Ann and Darris Dalton of Jackson and Mary Lou and Mike Dobron of Springfield, Illinois; 10 grandchildren, who he loved very much, Houston, Nick, Jake, Allie, Marianna, Alanis, Savannah, Alandry, Charlie and Truman; and two stepgrandchildren, Morgan and Levi Pettit.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Miner Baptist Church with Bro. Mitch Jackson, pastor of Miner Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield, with full military rites provided by the Missouri Military Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be Scott Schlosser, Nick Below, Jake Below, Allen Bellow, Jason Below and Andrew Below.

Online condolences may be sent to www.nunneleefuneralchapel.com.

Memorial donations may be made to Franklin Graham Ministries, Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone NC 28607.