James Morton

James Morton, age 103, formerly of Doniphan, died Monday, December 11, 2006, at Good Samaritan Care Center in Wood River.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, December 15th at the First United Methodist Church in Doniphan. Rev. James Johnson will officiate. Interment will be in the Case Cemetery near Giltner. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 P.M. on Thursday at Higby-McQuiston Mortuary in Aurora. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through the mortuary website at higbymortuary.com.

OBITUARY: JAMES MORTON

James S. Morton, the son of John and Jessie (Boag) Morton, was born near Giltner in Hamilton County, Nebraska on November 8, 1903 and died in Wood River, Nebraska on December 11, 2006, at the age of 103.

James grew up on the family farm, where he attended a one-room school, District 53, through the 8th grade. He began farming at an early age, due to his father’s death when he was five. James took over these duties from his Uncle John, who came to help out the family.

James was united in marriage to Jane Ellen Torgerson on October 27, 1935 at Belleville, Kansas. They farmed near Doniphan, James also worked for the Department of Agriculture part-time until he retired in 1973. They moved into Doniphan in 1979. Jane passed away on August 1, 1993. James celebrated his 100th birthday at the Prairie Winds in Doniphan.

James was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Doniphan, Eagles, Elks and Liederkranz. He enjoyed bowling for many years. James liked outdoor activities, especially fishing. He continued to raise a huge garden on their farm, even after they moved into town.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and his sister, Margaret Morton.

Those who remain to cherish his memory are his four children, Robert (Linda) Morton of Littleton, CO, Shirley (Gene) Cordes of Newtown Square, PA, Peggy Schoonover of Doniphan and Nancy (Rex) Howard of Richardson, TX; 9 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren.