Dateline:  Godfrey

James A. "Jim" Stites, 89, died at 4:19 a.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at Alton Memorial Hospital.  Born April 13, 1928 in Alton, he was the son of Frank James and Margaret Nellie (Flamm) Stites.  Mr. Stites served with the U.S. Army during the Korean War.  He graduated from Shurtleff College in Alton and also attended Washington University in St. Louis, MO.  In 1991 he retired as a senior metallurgist for Wagner Electric Corporation in St. Louis after 35 years of service.  He married the former Jane A. Byers on December 6, 1951 in Alton.  They celebrated 66 years of marriage.  Along with his wife Jane, he is survived by a daughter, Reverend Laura Renault of Hubbard, IA, two sons, Dave Stites (Beth) of Waterloo, and Roger Stites, three grandchildren, Ryan and Jordan Stites and Simone Renault.  A private burial will be at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Godfrey.  Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements.  Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com