SPARTA – James Ernest Douglas, 88, of Sparta, passed away at 1:45 pm, Thursday, September 29, 2016 at the Randolph County Care Center in Sparta after being ill with Alzheimer's for fourteen years, seven of these years being at the Care Center.

He was born to William H. and Kathryn Ruehmkorff Douglas at Coulterville on January 4, 1928.  He was preceded in death by his Parents; five brothers; five sisters; and one son, Paul Edward Douglas, who passed away from cancer in July of 2012.  He graduated from Sparta High School in 1951.  In the fall of 1952, while home on furlough from the USAF, he met Dorothy Lee Schenke from Marissa.  They were engaged at Christmas of that year and were married on the June 28, 1953.  In May of 1954, their first son, James Allen Douglas was born followed by his brother, Paul Edward Douglas in December of 1957, and then their daughter, Donna Diane Douglas (Wilkerson) was born on April 16, 1959.  He is survived James, Sr. (Rona) and Donna, they both reside in Marissa.  He is also survived by Paul's wife, Rose of Blair, nine grandchildren, James Douglas, Jr. of Coulterville, Kathy Patterson of Steeleville, Whitney Schoenbeck and Karen Marie Baker, both of Freeburg, Emily Wilkerson, Jeffrey Gimber, Jamie Hudson all of Marissa, and Ryan and Sheri Douglas of Blair, seven great grandchildren, Kaden and Oliver Schoenbeck of Freeburg, Sicbhan and Mavis Baker of Belleville, Ian and Ilissa Hudson of Marissa, and Kamryn Patterson of Steeleville, two step great grandchildren, Zach and Cadin Patterson of Steeleville, two brothers-in-law, Ralph Schenke and wife Mary Ann of Michigan, and Harvey Gillespie and wife, Genevive of Coulterville, , sister-in-law, Lela Jean Neisler of Florida and many, many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Douglas was married to his wife, Dorothy for 63 years.  He was a loving and devoted husband and also loved and cared for all of his grandchildren.  He was the last surviving child of 11 children.

James was a member of the AARP and the United Auto Workers Local 25 in St. Louis, MO.  He retired from the Fisher Body division of General Motors in St. Louis, MO, after being employed there for thirty years.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00, Saturday, October 1, 2016 at Paradise Cemetery in Steeleville.  Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home, Steeleville, where friends may call from 11 am until 1:30 pm Saturday.  Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society.