James F. Shirey
1/21/2009

James F. Shirey, 92, Carthage, died at 8:05 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2009, at Blessing Hospital, Quincy.

He was born Jan. 1, 1917, in Burnside, the son of John F. and Marie L. (Yager) Shirey.

He married Beulah Seigfreid, on Feb. 7, 1948, in Macomb. She preceded him in death in 1999.

He is survived by one son, Chuck (Shelley) Shirey, Nauvoo; four grandchildren, Shawn Shirey, Colchester, Shannon (Ryan) Blue, Carthage, Shalyn Shirey, La Harpe, and Sara Shirey, Nauvoo; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Arthur (Louise) Shirey, Canton, Mo., and David (LaVerne) Shirey, Milwaukee, Wis.; three sisters, Francis Briggs, Wheaton, Marjorie Martin, Las Vegas, Nev., and Betty Reszka, Wheaton; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and his parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, Keoster and Clifford, and one sister, Dorothy Thompson.

After high school he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1939 and served two years overseas in the infantry in the European, African and Middle Eastern theatres and received four bronze battle stars. He received his honorable discharge in 1945. He was an International Harvester dealership employee for 37 years. He loved to travel with his wife and they visited all 48 continental states. He loved his grandchildren and attending their sporting events. He was a lifelong member of the Carthage VFW.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, at Printy Funeral Home, Carthage.

Burial was in Keokuk National Cemetery.