James Elgan Custer
Click to Enlarge Photo
Click to Enlarge Photo
April 19th, 1927 - November 3rd, 2010
From: Springfield, MO
Visitation: 6pm-8pm Saturday, November 6, 2010
Clary Funeral Home - Alton, MO
Funeral: 2pm Sunday, November 7, 2010
Alton Freewill Baptist Church - Alton, MO
Burial: Cave Springs Cemetery - Alton, MO
James "Jim" Custer of Springfield, MO passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at St. John's Regional Hospital at the age of 83. Born on April 19,1927, to Berry and Ora Custer in Cave Springs, MO, Jim was the youngest of nine children. As a young child he was saved and baptized and was a member of Cave Springs Church.

After graduating from Alton High School, Jim enlisted and proudly served two years in the U.S. Air Force in the Quarter-Master Supply as a clerk. He served in Japan and Hawaii during these two years.

Upon his discharge, Jim moved to Detroit where he met the love of his life, Nellie Annalee Peters, whom he married two years later in 1955. He worked as a traffic clerk for Chrysler in Detroit, and later in Toledo, until he retired in 1978. Upon moving back to Missouri, Jim later worked short terms as a bus driver for Alton Schools, then at Southwest Truck Body, and finally at the Soil and Water Conservation Agency in Alton.

Jim loved life. His proudest accomplishment was his family. He enjoyed working in his garden, reading, and spending time with his friends. Jim knew no strangers. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. Everyone who knew him fell in love with his friendly, easy going personality. Jim always had a big smile and an even bigger heart, both of which he shared with everyone he came into contact with. He will be greatly missed here, but we know that our loss is heaven's gain.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Berry and Ora Custer; five siblings, Milton Custer, Myron Custer, Marie Parlour, Violet Wahlquist, and Avis Custer.

Jim is survived by his wife, Nell Custer of Springfield, MO; three siblings, Beulah Menkes of Mission, TX, Lorene Leukeman of Alton, MO, and Raymond Custer of Amarillo, TX; his children, James Custer of Muskegon, MI, Susan Chronister and husband Dwight of Alton, MO, and Debbie Darling and husband Mike of Springfield, MO; his seven grandchildren, Dawn Levernier of Muskegon, MI, Kenny Custer of Muskegon, MI, Jennifer Clovis of Fort White, FL, Jocelyn Custer of Muskegon MI, Kayla Collins of Alton, MO, Lindsey Chronister of Alton, MO, and Skyler Chronister of Alton, MO; and his seven great-grandchildren, Emily Custer, Wade Custer, Alicia Levernier, Chris Levernier, Travis Custer, Noah Hill, and Brandon Clovis.

Services will be 2:00pm Sunday, November 7, 2010 at the Alton Freewill Baptist Church with Bro. Bill Bales and Bro. Charley Trantham officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, 6:00-8:00pm at the Clary Funeral Home, Alton, MO. Interment will be in the Cave Springs Cemetery.



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