James Nelson Whitcomb

1928 - 2025

James Nelson Whitcomb, 97, of Burnside, Ill., passed away on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Carthage.
Jim was born on Jan. 9, 1928, near Adrian. He was the son of Edward and Gail (Nelson) Whitcomb. Jim graduated from Carthage High School in 1946. He went on to attend the University of Illinois and received his bachelor's degree in Ag Sciences. He was a member of the AGR Fraternity while at the university. Jim worked with his father's dairy herd growing up and joined his father's operation full-time after graduating from the University of Illinois in 1950. In 1961, a milking parlor and silo were built, and Jim took over management of the herd which was sold in 1982 after 55 years of operation. On March 21, 1954, Jim was united in marriage to Carol Bolton at Golden's Point Church. She survives.
Jim was a hard worker. He would help wherever he could. He spent time working for Country Financial as a crop adjuster. In 1949, Jim joined the Burnside Lodge #683 A.F. & A.M. serving as Master multiple times and held the office of treasurer from 2013 to present. He was also a plural member of the Hancock Lodge #20 as well as the Valley of Quincy Scottish Rite. Jim belonged to the Appanoose Presbyterian Church, Order of the Eastern Star, the Shriner's International, and was also a lifelong blood donor.
Jim is survived by his wife, Carol Whitcomb of Burnside; his children, John (Mary) Whitcomb of North Liberty, Iowa, Robert Whitcomb of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Paul Whitcomb of Burnside, Howard (Carole) Whitcomb of Marshalltown, Iowa, and his daughter in law, Glenda Whitcomb of Burnside; his grandchildren, Tyler (Carly) Whitcomb, Hannah (Jeremy) DeHague, James (Kristyn) Whitcomb, Ashley (Jared) Squier, Victoria (Zach) Nemmers, Nicholas (Riley) Whitcomb, Amanda (Tess) Whitcomb, Ashley (Aaron) Wade, Jackie (Travis) Conover, Eric (Cindy) Greer, and Wenjie Wu; his great-grandchildren, Jackson Squier, Benjamin Squier, Breck DeHague, Cooper DeHague, Ruthie Whitcomb, Reed Whitcomb, Krisama Greer, Kadeeyn Greer, Drew Conover, Piper Conover, Eliana Wade, and Elias Wade.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his sons, David Whitcomb and James Whitcomb Jr., his grandson, Andrew Whitcomb, and his sister, Jean (Youngmeyer) Whitcomb.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30, at Printy Funeral Home with burial to follow at Moss Ridge Cemetery. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 9-11 a.m. Memorials may be made out to the Shriner's Children's Organization. Printy Funeral Home is assisting the family.