Vincennes Sun-Commercial (IN) - Monday, July 19, 2010

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ill. " James F. "Jiggs" McNew passed away Friday, July 16, 2010, at the United Methodist Village in Lawrenceville.

He was born on March 24, 1925, in Edwards County to Henry and Sarah (Miller) McNew. On April 4, 1942, he married Margaret Josephine Gabbert, and she preceded him in death on Dec. 5, 1997.

James was a heavy equipment operator, owning and operating McNew Tractor Service the last 21 years of his working career. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and a lifetime member. He attended the Allendale/Lancaster Church of Christ. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, trapping and fishing, and was an avid bow hunter. He competed and placed first in many bow competitions while in his late 60s and 70s. He also enjoyed painting landscapes in acrylic.

He is survived by five children, James H. (Pat) McNew of Carmi, Sue (Kenneth) Cessna of Sumner, Karan (Corky) Brown of Bridgeport, Crystal (Joe) Arnold of Milan and Pam (David) Logan of Lawrenceville; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are sisters, Katherine Irene Baxter, Phyllis Marie Houser, Louise Chappel of Mt. Carmel, Marjorie Cessna of Olney and Mary Reeves of Missouri; a brother, Richard McNew of Colorado; two sisters-in-law, Betty McNew of McLeansboro and Shirley Bunting of Grayville; and a brother-in-law, Jess Houser of Grayville, along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Douglas James McNew; six brothers; and two sisters.

On May 19, 2003, he married Myrtle Kiser, and she preceded him in death on March 11, 2010. He is survived by five stepchildren, David (Gail) Kiser of Sumner, Barbara (Harry) Minniear of Lancaster, Terry (Gloria) Kiser of Starkville, Miss., Shirley (Bob) Waggoner of Holland, Ind., and Sandra (Paul) Dossett of Mt. Carmel; 13 stepgrandchildren; and numerous stepgreat-grandchildren.

The funeral was at the Sivert-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Sumner with burial at the Petty Cemetery.