James William Pickering

OBITUARY JAMES WILLIAM PICKERING James William Pickering, age 68 of Aldrich, MO, passed away on June 22, 2006 at the Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, following a lengthy illness. He was born March 3, 1938 near Fair Play, MO, the only child of Jim M. Pickering and Myrtle L. Combs Pickering. James was raised around the Dunnegan, Fair Play area and went to school there. On March 5, 1956, he married Colleen Cummings of Halfway, MO. In 1961, James and Colleen and their daughter, Karren moved from Dunnegan to Aldrich. James worked for the Farmers Exchange, and was the last manager of the Aldrich Telephone switchboard. He was a mechanic in Aldrich, Fair Play and Bolivar, and a milk hauler for Greenfield Cheese Company for several years. He worked for the Polk County Road and Bridge for 18 years and was the Road Maintenance Supervisor for 12 of those years until his retirement. James loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, rock collecting, and helping with farming. He enjoyed his family and grandchildren. James and Colleen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past March 5, 2006. He enjoyed spending time with his special friend, Norman Hall, who has been like a brother to him. James was preceded in death by his parents, Jim & Myrtle, aunts, uncles and a son, Steven James Pickering, who died in 1982 at the age of 12. He is survived by his wife Colleen of the home, his daughter, Karren Bruce and her husband Steve of Fair Play; two granddaughters, Karrie Bruce of Springfield, and Stephanie Bruce (Lita Lea) of Fair Play, two step-grandchildren, Mike Bruce of Bolivar and Michelle Slagle of Springfield, MO. Two great grandchildren and six step-great grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister-in-law Joyce Harris of Amity, AR and a brother-in-law Dale Cummings of Venus, TX. Funeral services were held on Sunday, June 25, 2006 at 1:30 PM in the Butler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. James Ireland officiating. Burial was in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery south of Aldrich under the direction Butler Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkview Healthcare Facility Project Fund % Butler Funeral Home-P.O. Box 11, Bolivar, MO 65613. Friends may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

James William Pickering

March 3, 1938 - June 22, 2006