James Edmund Distler, 74, of Jefferson City, died Monday, November 22, 2004, at St. Marys Health Center. He was born on November 8, 1930 in Cole County, the son of Fred A. and Ida Wankum Distler, both deceased. He was married on May 22, 1954 in Jefferson City to Ruth Catherine Landrum who survives at the home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 24, 2004, at St. Joseph Cathedral with the Rev. Jeremy A. Secrist officiating. Entombment will be in Resurrection Chapel Mausoleum. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 23, 2004, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Cathedral, 2305 W. Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109-0915; or Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America, 77 Westport Plaza, Suite 101, St. Louis, MO 63146. Those wishing to send condolences or tributes to the family may do so at www.dulletrimble.com. Mr. Distler was a 1949 graduate of St. Peter High School and served with the United States Army from 1952 to 1954. A lifelong dairy farmer, he was a member of the board of Public Water District No. 1; St. Joseph Cathedral; and St. Joseph Council of Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. Other survivors include his step-mother, Velma Distler, California, MO; five sons and their wives, Donald and Jill Distler; Cary Distler; Doug and Betty Distler; and Phil Distler, all of Jefferson City; and Scott and Karen Distler, Centertown; one daughter and her husband, Cathy and James Singer, Taos; fifteen grandchildren, Chrissy, Jamie, Julie, Beth, Kasie, Josh, Lucas, Michael, Amber, Lauren, Mandi, Bryan, Michelle, Beau, and Jacob; one great-granddaughter, Kamryn; two sisters, Betty and her husband, Charles, Peters, Loose Creek; and Marilyn Meininger, Florissant; two brothers and their wives, Frank Butch and Rosie Distler, Jefferson City; and Harold and Phyllis Distler, Overland Park, Kansas. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Fred Fritz Distler; Donnie Distler; and Dennis Distler.