James H. Sampsel

James H. "Sammy" Sampsel, age 87, a resident of Chillicothe, Missouri, passed away at his residence on Monday, January 17, 2011. He was born on May 16, 1923, in Deep Water, Missouri, the son of Vernon C. and Clara (Molder) Sampsel. On June 10, 1961, he was married to Hazel "Lorene" Chapman in Bell Gardens, California. She preceded him in death. James was a member of the Southern Baptist Church in El Monte, California, and attended the Calvary Baptist Church in Chillicothe, Missouri. He was a member of the Roy L. Burkett VFW Post #858, where he was the past Post Commander, and also the Vern R. Glick American Legion Post #285. He was in the U.S. Marines and a Veteran of WWII. During his years as a Marine, he received a Purple Heart, and a Pacific Theater Medal, and was a Saipan survivor. James was a member of the Local 420 Teamster's Union in El Monte, California. He worked as a truck driver for Pacific Pipeline for thirty years before retiring. James also loved to redo old cars, hunt, and Salt- Sea Fishing, and loved to play guitar and watch hummingbirds. Survivors include five sons, Carl and wife Meta Sampsel of Clarksdale, Missouri, James W. Jr. and wife Sharon Sampsel of Riverside, California, Billy D. and wife Veronica Nickell of West Covena, California, Roy D. and wife Donna Nickell of Upland, California, Ronald G. and wife Jewell Nickell of Meadville, Missouri; three daughters, Nancy Kuhlman of Odessa, Texas, Kay Hoecker of St. Joseph, Missouri, and Linda K. Baker of Chillicothe, Missouri; and one sister, Mary Capps and husband Marvin of Camdenton, Missouri. He is also survived by several grandchildren, great grandchildren, great- great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Clara Sampsel; his wife Hazel; son Glen Nickell; and daughter Rena Rae Thomas. Funeral services will be held at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri, on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. There will be a scheduled family visitation on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri. Friends may call on Wednesday after 12 noon until 9:00 p.m. at the Lindley Funeral Home. Burial will be held at the Wheeling Cemetery, Wheeling, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hedrick Medical Center Hospice, and Forrest O'Tripplett Animal Shelter, and may be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P. O. Box. 47, Chillicothe, Missouri 64601. Online condolences may be left at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.