JAMES GORDAN "JIM" NITCHALS

JAMES "JIM" GORDAN NITCHALS

Leavenworth, KS

James "Jim" Gordan Nitchals, 85, died peacefully at home Friday, November 13, 2009, surrounded by his family.

James Gordan Nitchals was born July 31, 1924, in Emmetsburg, Iowa, the son of Harry and Catherine Myers Nitchals. He was a truly devoted husband and father. He faithfully served his country at the age of 17 serving in WWII sailing aboard oceangoing merchant ships in the North Atlantic as a Merchant Marine during the Wolf Pack Tactic, escorting troops, oil tankers and equipment. He then joined the U.S. Army and served a three-year tenure in Germany serving in the Counter Intelligence Corp, ranking as a Sergeant First Class. He was a noted expert marksman.

Jim was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Leavenworth, KS., and Local 499 Carpenter's Union for over 50 years.

He and his wife Peggy were farmers for numerous years and locally owned and operated their general contractor business T & N Inc. for nearly 30 years. He coached baseball for the Ban Johnson league for American Legion Post 23. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports.

On August 21, 1950, he married Peggy Jean Peters in Leavenworth. They lived their entire married life in the Leavenworth area.

Survivors include his wife Peggy of 59 years, his six children, Karen (Lewis) Mitchell, Dan (Ann) Nitchals, Mike (Debbie) Nitchals, Kenny (Jane) Nitchals, David Nitchals and Janet Seber; twelve grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marjorie Fleer and Frances Hollis. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2009, at Immaculate Conception Church. Interment with full military honors will follow at Leavenworth National Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at the funeral home with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be a rosary at 6 p.m.

The family requests any memorials be given to St. Vincent Clinic or Kendallwood Hospice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Belden-Larkin Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Online condolences may be made to www.beldenlarkin.com.