James Elwood Hendren

James Elwood Hendren, 89, Independence, Mo., passed away on Aug. 24, 2009. Services will be Saturday, Aug. 29, at Mt. Washington Forever Mausoleum Chapel, 614 S. Brookside Ave., Independence, Mo. Visitation will begin at noon followed by funeral service at 1:30 p.m. Burial in Floral Hills Cemetery.

Elwood was born on May 19, 1920, in Clifton Hill, (Randolph County) Mo., to Cecil and Laura Frances (Rucker) Hendren. Elwood served his country as a Merchant Marine from 1943 until July of 1946. He worked in construction and was a member of Laborers Local No. 264. Elwood received a 50-year pin and watch. He retired in 1982. He attended the Lutheran Church, was a member of Jolly Lamplighters, Mid-America Ancient Mariners, AARP and Spring Pac of Independence. Elwood married Betty R. Spencer on Nov. 19, 1950. She preceded him in death in 2001.

Also preceding him in death were two sons, Glenn Hendren, Rodney Hendren; a brother, Howard Hendren; and his grandson Frankie Hendren. He is survived by one son, Terry Hendren, of Shawnee, Kan.; two granddaughters, April Jacobs, Nevada, and Victoria Hendren, Shawnee, Kan.; two grandsons, Shawn Hendren and Chris Hendren, both of Nevada; four sisters, Sue Barton and Mary Salisbury, both of Independence, Mo., Jean Risley, Flippin Ark., and Marjorie Kietlinski, Mosinee, Wis.; three brothers, Edwin Hendren, Kansas City, Walter Hendren, Gladstone, Mo., and Vencil Hendren, Joplin, Mo.; and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are under the direction of Mt. Washington Forever Funeral Home.