James C. Batson, age 70, of Pin Oak Township, Edwardsville, Illinois, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2003 at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

Mr. Batson was born January 24, 1933 to Charles and Margarite (nee Wachter) Batson, in Granite City, Illinois. He has lived in the Troy area for over 20 years. He married Shirley Jean Morgan on February 20, 1954 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Granite City. She survives. He was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church in Troy.

After retiring from Granite City Steel, James became a professional dog trainer, specializing in German Shorthair Pointers.

Mr. Batson is also survived by his four sons, Tim of Rosewood Heights, Illinois, Christopher (Cindy) Batson of Alton, Illinois, Paul Gregg (Wendy) Batson of Staunton, Illinois and Andrew (Gloria) Batson of Granite City, Illinois; two daughters, Mrs. Cathi (Drew) Gitchoff of Granite City, Illinois and Becky Hayes of Rosewood Heights, Illinois; two brothers, Roger Batson and Larry Batson, both of Wood River, Illinois; three sisters, Charlene (Jerry) Becker of Elsa, Illinois, Suzanne Batson of Chicago, Illinois and Pat (Harold) Sly of Wood River, Illinois; six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Margarite and his brother Robert.

Visitation: Friends may call from 9:00 til 11:00 AM, Tuesday, December 23, 2003 at St. Jerome Catholic Church.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 AM, Tuesday, December 23, 2003 at St. Jerome Catholic Church.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery, Glen Carbon, Illinois

Memorials may be made in the form of Masses or to the American Diabetes Association.