Dr. J.W. Wells Of Waltonville Dies At Age 81

Funeral Friday For Prominent Physician and Community Leader.

Dr. James W. Wells of Waltonville died at 2:10 a.m. today at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon of a heart attack. He was 81 years of age.

His funeral will be held Friday afternoon at Fry's Chapel in Waltonville, at 2 o'clock.

Dr. Wells was a prominent figure in community life of Waltonville and Jefferson county for many years. He was the first mayor of Waltonville, served on the town board a number of terms, and was a member of the Board of Education of the Waltonville grade school for several terms. He also served as a member of the Jefferson county board and was Supervisor from Bald Hill township at the time the new Jefferson county court house was built.

Dr. Wells was born in Waltonville January 27, 1879, the son of John and Laura A. (Bravard) Wells.

He was married in 1912 to Bertha Blanche Hartley, who died in 1914.

In 1918 he was married to Melissa Ann Kirkpatrick, who survives.

Also surviving are one son, Dr. Charles K. Wells of Mt. Vernon; three daughters, Mrs. W. Carl Allen of Rantoul, Mrs. Knox Hirons of Waltonville, and Capt. Helen Wells of Minneapolis, and Air Force nurse; one sister, Mrs. Bertha Eater of Mt. Vernon, and five grandchildren.

Dr. Wells attended Ewing College and Barnes Medical College at St. Louis. He served in World War I with the Medical Corps. He was a member of the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medical Society and the Jefferson - Hamilton Medical Society. He had been honored with membership in the 50 year club of the state society.

Dr. Wells was a member of the medical staff of Good Samaritan Hospital and was an advisor to the Jefferson County Department of Public Welfare. He was also a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Masons.

His funeral will be conducted by the Rev. N. D. Motzer of Mt. Vernon and the Rev. T. A. Shafer, pastor of the Methodist church of Waltonville. Burial will be in Knob Prairie cemetery north of Waltonville. The body will lie in state at the Fry chapel after 3 p.m. Thursday. Funeral services for Dr. James W. Wells will be held Friday at 2:00 p.m. in the high school gymnasium in Waltonville.

Dr. Wells, a prominent doctor and community leader in Jefferson county, died at 2:10 a.m. yesterday at Good Samaritan Hospital at the age of 81.

Funeral services were at First planned at Fry's Chapel in Waltonville but were changed to the school gym so more of his many friends could attend the service. At noon Friday the body will be taken to the gymnasium to lie in state until the funeral hour. Until that time friends may call at the Fry Chapel.

Submitted by: Cindy Ford