James Charles Rives

James Charles Rives, 88, Moundville, Mo., passed away at his home on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015, following a brief illness. He was born on Oct. 29, 1926, in Iantha, Mo., to Charles Lee Rives and Alice Costello Rives. He married Josephine Snider on June 12, 1950, in Kinsley, Kan., and she preceded him in death on June 12, 2013.

James was raised in Iantha and attended school there. He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 19 and served two years during World War II. Following his time in the service he worked in California for a time before moving back to this area. He was a landscaper his whole life and also worked for and retired from the Nevada State Hospital. He continued to operate Rives Landscaping until 2010.

He is survived by one daughter, Barbara Watkins and her husband, Stan, Moundville; two sons, Jim Rives, Lamar, Mo., and Robert Rives, Burdette, Kan.; 10 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Ronald Rives, Jasper, Mo.; and one sister, Jean Foster, Lamar. In addition to his wife, Josephine, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Elizabeth Carter; one son, Clark D. Rives; five grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and one sister, Beatrice Mayes.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 27, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. Interment with military honors will follow at Iantha Cemetery, Barton County, Mo. Friends may call now and until the hour of service at the funeral home.The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 26, also at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made in his memory to Hospice Compassus-Lamar in care of Ferry Funeral Home.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.