Jacob Sitzes III

ALTON, Ill. - Jacob "Jay" M. Sitzes III, 61, died at 2 p.m. Aug. 12, 2006, at his home in Alton surrounded by his family.

Born Feb. 4, 1945, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., son of Rachel T. (Ruckel) Sitzes of Sikeston, Mo., and the late Robert J. Sitzes, Jay grew up in Sikeston, graduating from Sikeston High School in 1963. He retired from Granite City Steel and was a U.S. Army veteran. He belonged to the East Alton-Wood River Sportsman's Club, American Legion, the Elks, Eagles and the Sikeston Jaycees, actively participating in the annual rodeos. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston and also attended the Methodist Church in Olive Branch.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by: two daughters, Jayme Silva and her husband, Jose, of Bethalto and Betsy Sitzes and her friend, Todd Sawyer, of Alton; three grandchildren, Alyssa Montano, Manny and Myles Silva; one brother and sister-in-law, Ned and Patricia Sitzes of Bracketville, Texas; one sister and brother-in-law, Susan (Sitzes) and Mike McDonald of Eagle River, Alaska; one sister-in-law, Sandy Sitzes of Sikeston; special friends, Gloria and Robert Boston and family; aunts, Francis Sitzes of Sikeston and Grace Watkins of Farmington, Mo.; many other extended family and friends; and his beloved dog, Daisy.

Besides his father, he was preceded in death by: one brother, Robert "Buzz" Sitzes; and one sister, Rae Ann Sitzes.

Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Gent Funeral Home in Alton and will continue from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ponder Funeral Home in Sikeston.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Sikeston with the Rev. Jeff Posegate officiating.

Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories at Sikeston.

Memorial contributions

may be made to:

Jaycees Fund for the Sikeston Dialysis Center

1008 North Main St.

Sikeston, MO 63801

or

Sikeston Elks Lodge

349 Dona St.

Sikeston, MO 63801

Paid obituary