Kercheval, James Michael 1969-1984

KERCHEVAL, GILES

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/16/2011 at 14:48:56

The Grinnell Herald-Register; May 24, 1984

MONTEZUMA BOY TAKES OWN LIFE

Jimmy Kercheval, 14, of Montezuma, son of John and Sarah Kercheval, died Sunday at Grinnell General Hospital of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The youth apparently shot himself in the head with a .22-caliber pistol his father had kept hidden in a closet.

Funeral services were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Montezuma Christian Church, with burial in the Jackson Township Cemetery.

Jimmy Kercheval is survived by his parents; two sisters, Debra and Polly; and three brothers, Nicky, Alexander and David.

His parents were quoted Monday as saying that their son had been upset about being grounded and not being able to see his girlfriend.
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The Grinnell Herald-Register; May 31, 1984

KERCHEVAL RITES CONDUCTED

Funeral services for James Michael Kercheval, 14, who died Sunday, May 20, at Grinnell General Hospital, were conducted at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 23, at the First Christian Church in Montezuma.

Officiating were the Revs. Bobby Dickerson and Walter Grimes. Pallbearers were Jim Arendt, Kent Horstman, Gayle Creswell, Al Rabenold, Dennis Wilson and Dwight Flemmer. Honorary bearers were Bill Linn, Brad Arendt, Curt Gauley, Mark Facile, Chad Hedrick, David Hutchinson, Dan Ross, Tony Neels, Steve Helm, Tim Hansen, Butch Helm and Darrell Willrich.

Burial was in the Jackson Township Cemetery, with the Watts Funeral Home of Montezuma in charge of arrangements.

The son of John and Sarah Giles Kercheval, he was born Dec. 14, 1969, at Ottumwa. He attended the First Christian Church at Montezuma and was a student at Montezuma Community School in the eighth grade. He was active in school and participated in football, basketball, baseball, track and band.

He is survived by his parents; his sisters and brothers, Deborah, Nicky, Alexander, David and Polly; his maternal grandmother, Altavena Giles of Fort Dodge; and his paternal grandparents, Chuck and Wilma Kercheval of Montezuma.