James W. Rives, 101

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James “Jim” Willard Rives, 101, of Carlinville, died on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022.

Mass of Christian Burial was conducted Tuesday, Jan. 3, at Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville with the Rev. Joseph Koyickal officiating. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville assisted the family.

Mr. Rives was born Aug. 2, 1921, in Greenfield, to George Jr. “Cotton” and Bernice (Cole) Rives. He married Anna Mae Bellm on April 9, 1947, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carlinville. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this year.

After graduation from Greenfield High School, he entered Alexian Brothers School of Male Nursing in Chicago, where he graduated as a registered nurse. He then went on to become a registered lab technician and X-ray technician.

Mr. Rives enlisted into the U.S. Army in November 1943. He served in the 8th Armored Division as a technical staff sergeant, and served as a medic, taking care of wounded troops during WWII, then as a clinic director in the Occupation Forces for a year in Germany. Through his actions in the war, he was granted the Bronze Star Medal.

After his service to his country, he carried jobs in private duty nursing, nursing and lab, and X-ray. He then took a job as Carlinville Area Hospital administrator, retiring from that position in 1979 after 25 years.

Mr. Rives’ hobbies included hunting, fishing, playing cards, camping, traveling, reading (Westerns), telling war and life stories and scratching off lottery tickets. He was a member of Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville, Knights of Columbus Council 663, American Legion Post #554 and the Rotary Club.

He is survived by nine children, Patty (Richard) Lange, John (Charlotte) Rives, Bill (Karen) Rives and Matt Rives, all of Carlinville, Mike (Olga) Rives of Carlyle, Bob (Deehan) Rives of Hillsboro, Jim (Eileen) Rives of Springfield, MO, Margaret (Jan) Jansen of Florissant, MO, and Becky (Rusty) Klein of Oconomowoc, WI; 21 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; brother, Earlom Rives of Canton; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Rives was preceded in death by his parents; brother, George Rives; sister, Eileen (Rives) Scott; son, Richard Rives; and grandson, Nathaniel James Florence.

Memorials may be directed to Carlinville Area Hospital Auxiliary or Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund in Carlinville.

Online condolences to the family may be left at www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com.