James (Jim) Robert Stober died peacefully at home in Kirksville, Missouri at the age of 94.
Jim was born on February 15, 1927 in Kirksville, Missouri to Jesse Franklin and Ida Amon (Gross) Stober. He completed school up until 8th grade then at which time he had to stop to help support his family when his dad got sick. He is the last sibling out of 6 children to survive. He was united in marriage to the love of his life Annabel Higgins on January 15, 1949 and to this union one daughter, Brenda, was born.
Jim is survived by his daughter Brenda Eitel of Kirksville, Mo, granddaughter Ashlea Sidwell (Jason) and great granddaughter Raylea of Queen City, Missouri. Raylea was his little Angel and he thought the world of her. He is also survived by his three brother in laws George Higgins (Carolyn) of Greentop, Mo., Harry Higgins of Keokuk, Ia., and John Higgins of Greentop, Mo and several nieces and nephews.
Jim was drafted into the U.S. Naval Reserve March 18, 1944. Where he fought in World War II and received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, and Good Conduct Medal. Following his, honorable discharge from the U.S. Naval Reserve, he worked for Louis Tuttle and David Sampson as an electrician and carpenter.
When he was younger he had field trial dogs. Jim always wanted ponies so once his daughter was born he was bound and determine to have ponies. Jim and Annabel started raising and showing hackney ponies in 1960. He raised and trained several great ponies over the years. He also trained and showed hackney ponies for Dr. Nancy Hutchinson for several years. Jim’s last trip around the show ring was at the 2012 Illinois State at the age of 85. Where he took first place in every class and won the final Championship class. Jim and Annabel traveled everywhere showing their hackney ponies from state fairs to state fairs. He was a member of Mid-American Hackney Association for over 60 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife Annabel, his son in law (James Eitel), two sisters (Sylvia Minnix and Martha Dudly), three brothers (Hollis, Chick and Wayne Stober), three sister in laws (Mary Hatfield, Margaret Snell and Doris Higgins), his two brother in laws (Gus Snell and George Hatfield Sr.), his parents (Jesse and Ida Stober), and his in laws (George and Catherine Higgins).
Pallbearers will be Hunter Wolf, Paul Eitel, Bruce Flynn, Rayburn Snell, David Higgins, David Sampson and Chad Sampson. Honorary bearers will be Danny Coin, Jim Stribling, Ron McClanahan, Merle Durham, Donnie Gregory and Kenny Barnes.
Visitation will be held Thursday March 11, 2021 with family receiving friends from 12:00 to 2:00pm. Funeral service will be held immediately following the visitation on Thursday March 11th at 2:00pm at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville, Missouri with Marty Palermo officiating. Burial will be in the Mary Immaculate Catholic Cemetery (Highland Park) in Kirksville, Missouri.
Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Northeast Missouri or Mary Immaculate Catholic Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO.