James W. "Whittier" Toothaker

James W. "Whittier" Toothaker, 53, passed away on Thursday Jan. 21, 2010, at his home in Nevada. He was born Sept. 30, 1956, in St. Elmo, Ill., to William H. Toothaker and Anna Marie Lustig Toothaker.

James grew up in Illinois. He attended high school in Effingham, Ill,, where most of his life was spent. He worked as a pipefitter most of his working life. He has lived in Cedar and Vernon counties for the past three years. He was a member of the Plumber and Fitter Union Local No. 653, in Centralia, Ill.

Survivors include his wife, Darlinda, of Nevada; two daughters, Anna McCowin and Lesley, Nevada, Deseray Gish and Jeremy, of El Dorado Springs, Mo.; two sons, Thomas Toothaker, Nevada, and Jason Toothaker, of Nevada, with U.S. Army; five grandchildren; one sister, Mary Ann Brown, state of Tennessee, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Thomas Toothaker, and William Toothaker Jr.

His funeral services will be in Effingham, Ill., at a later date under the direction of Johnson and Sons Funeral Home near St. Louis, Mo.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com.