James Edwin Gertz, 88, of Warrensburg, formerly of Sedalia and Cole Camp, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg.

He was born December 28, 1926, in Otterville, son of the late Ferdinand and Dora Zimmerschied Gertz.

On August 14, 1948, in Affalterbach, Germany, he was married to Wilma Lutz, who survives of the home.

He graduated from Syracuse High School. He raised turkeys and was a dairy farmer near Cole Camp. After moving to Sedalia he operated Gertz Distributing Company. Later he and Wilma operated West Side One Stop. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also enjoyed woodworking; and gardening with Wilma.

James was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Warrensburg, and formerly attended Our Savior Lutheran Church in Sedalia.

He served honorably in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict.  He was a member of the American Legion in Cole Camp for 66 years, the 40 & 8 Voiture #333, and was a lifetime member of VFW Post #2591.

In addition to his wife of 66 years, he is survived by three daughters, Virginia “Ginger” Doerflinger (Elray), of Warrensburg, Dorothy Doerflinger (Oliver), of Centerview, and Melody Fleeman (Jay Massey), of Holden; six grandchildren, Michelle (Lance) Thomas, of St Louis, MO, Bryan (Carolyn) Doerflinger, of Buckner, MO,  Jennifer (Brandon) English, of Warrensburg, Rachel (Rodger) Zinn, of Centerview, Drs. Melanie (Charley) Glenn, of Mission, KS, and Stephanie (Brent) Shanks, of Centerview; 14 great-grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy Askren (Jim), of Springfield; and a sister-in-law, Marilyn Gertz, of Sedalia.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl Gertz and Stanley Gertz.

A Celebration of Life and military honors will be at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at Heckart Funeral Home, with the Rev. Joel Kurz officiating.

Honorary bearers will be grandson, Bryan Doerflinger, and grandsons-in-law, Lance Thomas, Brandon English, Rodger Zinn, Charley Glenn, and Brent Shanks.

Burial will be at a later date in Highland Sacred Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 4:30 p.m. until service time Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, Unit D, or Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Warrensburg.

Condolences may be offered at www.heckartfuneralhome.com.

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