James Alfred Rivers, 81, of Fort Wayne, died on Friday, Feb. 18, 2011, at Lutheran Hospital. Born in Radnor, Ohio, he was the son of the late George and Violet Rivers. He was a member of St. John''s Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne. He served his country in the U.S. Army and was a member of the American Legion Post 190. He was a past Master of the Masons. He retired from Dana in 1986 after 21 years of service. He found great joy in music and playing his guitar.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Jeanette; son, James Rivers of Madison, Wisconsin; daughter, Susan (Allen) Geisinger of Cincinnati, Ohio; brother, Robert (Linda) Rivers of Mansfield, Ohio; sister, Mary Jones of Galion, Ohio; two grandchildren, Lindsey and Joey; and three great grandchildren, Brenna, Kassandra and Elijah.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl and Max Rivers; three sisters, Helen Edmundson, Myrt Whitt and Gladys Mc Culley; and a granddaughter, Laura Dearth.
Family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2011 at Covington Memorial Funeral Home, 8408 Covington Road. There will be a Masonic Service at 6 p.m. The family will have a memorial service at a later date at the church. Preferred memorials are to St. John's Lutheran Church.