James King

James Anderson King, 84, of Zion, Illinois, died on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at his home. James was born May 31, 1925 to Gilbert and Elsie Mae King (Ware) in Springfield, Illinois, the eldest son of 13 children. Springfield was always close to his heart marked by his family's annual pilgrimages to the Illinois Sate Fair. Twenty years of his life were spent on active duty in the United States Navy followed by seventeen years in Civil Service. During this time he married the love of his life, Vivian Louise Russell. They met at Zion's A&P grocery store where he was a meat cutter and she was the bookkeeper. Jim was an avid fisherman and a loyal Cubs fan. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #78, Waukegan, Scottish Rite, Chicago and Medina Temple's Military unit. He was also a very active member of the former Christian Catholic Church of Zion. He is survived by four brothers, Bud, Orville, Willie and Joe Ware; two sons, Frederick (Debbie) King of Beach Park and Thomas (Mary) King of Zion. He enjoyed his six grandchildren, Todd (Hollie) King of Delaware, Ohio, Julie (Armando) Alvarez of Orlando, Florida, and Alicia, Thomas, Caitlin and Carley King all of Zion. He was also blessed with five great-grandchildren, Brianna and Bailey King of Ohio and Liliana, Armando Jr., and Julian Alvarez of Florida. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Vivian; his eldest son, James; and many of his brothers and sisters. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion, with Brother Greg Seghers, a Missionary from Zion Evangelical Ministries of Africa, officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. Visitations will be Tuesday, August 11th from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, and again on Wednesday, August 12th from 11:00 a.m. until time of services at Christ Community Church. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Shriner's Hospital for children have been suggested.