James Blaine Obituary

OTTUMWA – James A. Blaine, 61, of 420 Minnesota, died at 9:30 p.m. Sept. 28, 2007, at his home.He was born June 1, 1946 in Fort Madison to George “Dick” and Betty Chesnut Blaine. He married Rosemary Owens Aug. 21, 1982.A graduate of Hedrick High School, he served in the Army during the Vietnam War. He was a meat cutter for Hedrick Grocery, Fareway and retired from Hy-Vee. He and his wife owned and operated the Ottumwa Redemption Center for twenty years.He was a lifetime member of Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars. He enjoyed fishing, trapping, arrowhead hunting, mushroom hunting, his grandchildren and spending time with his family.Surviving is his wife, Rosemary; a stepson, Vance (Becky) Frueh of Ottumwa; a stepdaughter, Lora Frueh of Ottumwa; three grandchildren, Jeremy (Ashley) Frueh, Levi Frueh and Bryce Frueh all of Ottumwa; a great-granddaughter, Mariah Frueh of Ottumwa; his mother, Betty Peek of Ottumwa; three brothers, Larry (Shannon) Blaine of Ottumwa, Frank (Louise) Blaine of Farson, George Richard (Monica) Blaine of Brooklyn, N.Y.; two sisters, Beverly (Gary) Neel of Richland, Karen (Cy) Young of Ottumwa; several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by a son, Ryan B. Blaine; his father, George “Dick” Blaine; a stepfather, James Peek.Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Reece Funeral Home with Rev. Melvin Mattox officiating. Burial will be in Ottumwa Cemetery with military services conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O. B. Nelson Post #3 of the American Legion.Visitation will start at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.Memorials may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Firing Squad.