James  “Jim” W. Cissna

James “Jim” W. Cissna, 82, of Palmyra, Mo., passed away at 7:46 a.m., Monday, Aug. 28, 2023, at his home in Palmyra.

Jim was born April 17, 1941, in Hannibal, Mo., to Kenneth and Mary Byrd Cissna. He was married to Rebecca Taylor on Nov. 27, 1965, in Palmyra. She survives.

Other survivors include his children, Lynn Hillman (Kevin), Palmyra; Jill Nutt (Les), Palmyra; and Jeff Cissna (Kinsey), Palmyra; sister, Kay Obermann (Jon), Hannibal; grandchildren, Jonathon Nutt (Katie), Jordan Nutt, Taylor Barrett, Gabi Cissna and Jersey Cissna; great-grandchildren, Edie Nutt and Willa and Miles Cull-Barrett.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; nephew, Will Obermann; and grandson, Baby Boy Cissna.

Professionally Jim started out working for, then owning, Cissna Chevrolet before moving on as a supervisor at the Missouri State Tax Commission. 

Later he started Cissna Appraisal in Palmyra and worked with the community he loved until his retirement. 

Jim served in the United States Army as a foreign area operator and intelligence assistant, serving his time during the Vietnam War era in Germany from January 1966 through December 1967.

Jim was a sharp-witted, loyal friend who lived life to the fullest. His life was adventurous as he and his family and friends took Alaskan cruises, parasailed off mountains, rode mules to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, and white water rafted in Costa Rica.  

He loved spoiling his grandchildren. For them, turning eight-years-old meant it was time for a trip to Disney World with papa and mema. His final big family trip was a Disney Cruise in 2014.

Jim was a man of the community, fully ingrained in local sports. As an announcer, he was the voice of the Panthers Football team for 40 plus years. An avid sports fan, and especially Palmyra Panther fan, he enjoyed taking photos at the games and would then pass them out to families at the next game. 

Over the years, he coached softball and baseball in the Kiwanis Khoury League, served as the president of the Booster Club, even starting the first club lemonade stand at the fair. 

Jim was a member of the American Legion, Jaycees, Kiwanis, Masons and Shriners. He was a devout Christian and served on many Palmyra United Methodist Church committees such as treasurer, singing in the choir and teaching Sunday school. He also loved to support the Quincy Community Theatre. 

He never missed a chance to dance with Becky, the love of his life and his wife of 57 years. In his down time, Jim enjoyed watching a good western with John Wayne or taking in a St. Louis Cardinals or Blues hockey game. 

With Jim, you always knew where you stood, but knew he would go out of his way to help wherever he could.

A funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2, at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel, Palmyra. Rev. Eric Anderson will officiate. Burial with full military rites by American Legion Post #174 Boots-Dickson will follow at Andrew Chapel Cemetery.

Friends and family are invited to Jim’s Life Celebration at a visitation that will be held from 8 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel.

Memorials may be made to either Shriners Hospital or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Online condolences may be shared, and video tribute may be viewed at www.LewisBrothersFuneralChapel.com.