PUXICO -- James E. Hodge, 63, of East Peoria, Ill., died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2000, at Dexter Memorial Hospital in Dexter.

He was born Dec. 7, 1936, at Asherville, son of James "Louie" and Gussie Beights Hodge. He and Carolin Gray were married Aug. 4, 1961, at Puxico.

Hodge lived in East Peoria the past 35 years. He was a machine repairman with Caterpillar Tractor, retiring May 1, 1989.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Korea from 1958-64.

Survivors include his wife; a son, James Hodge II of East Peoria; four sisters, Gladys Page of Puxico, Violet Crain of Alto Pass, Ill., Lillian Adams of Kansas City, Mary Webster of Jefferson City; two brothers, Harry Hodge of Clearwater Beach, Fla., and Dale Hodge of Dade City, Fla.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends may call at Watkins and Sons Funeral Home in Puxico after 7 p.m. today.

Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Duck Creek Cemetery near Puxico.