James E. “Jim” Whitnel

James E. "Jim" Whitnel, 74, of Cape Girardeau, formerly of Cypress, Illinois, passed away Friday, April 20, 2018, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born August 7, 1943, in Cypress, Illinois, to Almus Glen and Juanita Stewart Whitnel. He and Rosanna "Rosie" Dotson were married June 15, 1963.

Together, Jim and Rosie owned and operated J. E. & R. Construction, Inc.

Jim attended Cape County Cowboy Church in Oak Ridge, Missouri.

Loving survivors include his wife of nearly 55 years, Rosanna of Cape Girardeau; two daughters: Billi (Shawn) Taylor of Cape Girardeau; Bobbi (David) Palmer of Cape Girardeau, and daughter, Morgan Anne Morris of St. Louis.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two siblings.

Friends are invited to attend a celebration of Jim's life on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at the Cape County Cowboy Church in Oak Ridge. The family will receive visitors at 3 p.m. At 4 p.m., in keeping with Jim's wishes, there will be a time of sharing memories, ham sandwiches, and diet cokes.

Jim explicitly instructed that memorial gifts take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Please, no plants or flowers.

Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.