James "Jim" Gerstenecker, 82, of Troy, IL, born Oct. 13, 1921, in Jarvis Township, IL, died Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at Eden Village Care Center, Troy, IL.

James graduated from Liberty Grade School and from McCray-Dewey High School. He was a member of the Liberty School board and the Triad Community Unit 2 Board, when the schools of Troy, Marine and St. Jacob were consolidated. He was a member of Troy United Methodist Church, where he served in various offices. He was a self-employed farmer, from which he retired from in 1982 and maintained his residence in Troy, IL.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, nee Kinder, Gerstenecker, whom he married Dec. 25, 1944, and who died Aug. 17, 2002; his parents, George W. and Clara, nee Boston, Gerstenecker; and two sisters, Beulah Gerstenecker and Helen Siefferman.

He is survived by two daughters, Jana Gerstenecker of Collinsville, IL, and Kay (John L.) Neudecker of Fulton, MO; a sister, Merle Triska of Signal Hill, IL; and three grandchildren, Kelly Neudecker of St. Elizabeth, MO, John James (Heather) Neudecker of Mount Pleasant, MI, and Daniel Neudecker of Montgomery City, MO.

Memorials may be made to Troy United Methodist Church, to Eden Village Care Center or to Gateway Hospice.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 19, 2004, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2004, at Troy United Methodist Church, Troy, IL.

Funeral: Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2004, at Troy United Methodist Church, Troy, IL, with the Rev. Dennis Price officiating. Burial will be in Friedens Cemetery, Troy, IL.