Jim Birk

Jim C. Birk, 70, of Shawneetown passed away Monday, Aug. 8, 2005, at Southeast Missouri Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Feb. 2, 1935, in Jackson, son of Theodor C. and Adeline Isabelle Bennett Birk.

Jim was baptized March 31, 1935, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Jackson, and was confirmed April 10, 1949, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. He attended St. Paul Lutheran Grade School and was a 1953 graduate of Jackson High School.

He was a member of Company E, 140th Infantry Missouri Army National Guard of Jackson, where he achieved an Expert Marksmanship Badge with the M1 Rifle, honorably serving from July 13, 1953, to July 4, 1959.

Jim owned and operated the former Uniontown Oil Co., operated Jim's Mobil in Oak Ridge, worked at West Lake Quarry, and then Mayes Towing. He was a former member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Frohna, Mo.

Loving survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmie Birk II and wife Sheila of Perryville, Mo., Byron Birk and wife Jackie of Perryville, Bob Birk and wife Amy of Altenburg, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Adam, Chris, Jimmie III, Jesse, Jacqueline, Amanda, Christopher, Carson; a great-granddaughter, Daphne; his sweetie, Jewel Habeck of Cape Girardeau; and her daughter, Lisa Barber of Jackson.

He is also survived by six sisters, Evelyn Puls of Jackson, Doris Williamson of Herculaneum, Mo., Mildred Finley of San Diego, Calif., Marjorie Grindstaff of Jackson, Betty Myer of Jackson, and Mary Helen Reynolds and husband Howard of Sikeston, Mo.

He was preceded by his parents.

Friends may call today from 4 to 8 p.m. at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be Thursday at 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with the Rev. Wayne Palmer officiating. Interment will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to American Cancer Society or Saxony Lutheran High School.