JAMES R. "JIM" BURNSIDE SR.

James Burnside Sr.

James R. "Jim" Burnside Sr., 82, of Rushville died at 11:25 a.m. July 29, 2013, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy.

He was born May 3, 1931, in rural Rushville, a son of Russell and Frances Johnson Burnside. He married Margaret J. "Maggie" Downs on Jan. 3, 1974, in Rushville. She preceded him in death on Sept. 28, 2009.

He also was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Trinkle.

Surviving are his children: Vicki (and Dale) Little of Rushville, Mickie Saunders and James Burnside Jr., both of San Diego, Calif., and Cindy Peterson of Arab, Ala.; one stepdaughter, Rhonda (and Mike) Howard of Rushville; two brothers, Bob (and Kay) Burnside of Rushville and Bill Burnside of Louisville, Ky.; one sister, Darlene Trone of Rushville; eight grandchildren; three step grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and nine step great-grandchildren.

He served in the United States Navy for 20 years of active service and an additional 10 years in the reserves. He later worked for 13 years at Oscar Meyer in Beardstown, retiring in 1981.

He was a member of Guthrie-Pierce #1239 VFW in Beardstown, where he participated with the Burial Detail for many years, past president of Schuyler American Legion Post #4, served as State Historian with Voiture 40 et 8 and past president and volunteer for Schuyler Jail Museum and Genealogical Center in Rushville. He authored a book on the Korean Conflict and was an actor in the U.S. Navy film Up Periscope.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Wood Funeral Home in Rushville with Pastor Larry DeSha officiating. Burial will follow in Burnside Cemetery south of Rushville with military rites by Guthrie-Pierce #1239 VFW. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Schuyler Jail Museum and Genealogical Center in Rushville or Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy Activity Fund.

Condolences may be sent to www.woodfh.net.

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 7/31/2013