JAMES VINCENZO SABATINO DINARDO

James Vincenzo Sabatino DiNardo, age 88, died Sunday, August 16, 2009, at his home in Fort Scott.

He was born February 12, 1921, in Santo Nicandro, Provincia di Aguila, Italy, the son of Giovanni "John" DiNardo and Teresa Daniele DiNardo.

He became a United States citizen on February 11, 1927, by virtue of his father's National Certificate.

He later left Naples, Italy, at the age of eleven and arrived at the Port of New York, Ellis Island, with his mother and sister on June 19, 1931.

Jim attended school in Mt. Vernon, New York. He entered the second grade at the Nathan Hale School and went on to graduate from the Davis High School in January of 1941.

Jim served with the United States Army during World War II. While with the Army, he enrolled at the Signal Corps School at Camp Crowder, Missouri, from December 1942 to June 1943.

During this time, he met his future wife at the Tower Ballroom in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Jim was honorably discharged from the Army on January 3, 1946, and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Emblem, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon and Four Bronze Stars.

He married Mary Jo Gunsaullus on January 15, 1946.

Jim worked for the Western Insurance Company for over 38 years.

He was a member of the Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, V.F.W., and a former member of the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club.

His life was first God, family, being proud of his Italian heritage and serving his country in World War II.

Jim was a living example of unconditional love. He never met a stranger and carried a positive mental attitude throughout his life. He also loved animals and playing golf with his friends.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Jo, of the home; one son John DiNardo and wife Dee, Plano, Texas; three daughters, Lisa Ward and husband Mark, Fort Scott, Susan DiNardo, Girard, Kansas, and Tambria Hill and husband Brad, Pittsburg, Kansas.

Also surviving are five grandchildren, Alex Ward, Austin Ward, April Stubbs and husband Darwin, James DiNardo and Wife Dorian, and Bella DiNardo; and two great-grandchildren, Cormac and Carson Stubbs.

He was preceded in death by a son, Marc James DiNardo, one sister and one brother.

Father Darrin May will conduct graveside services at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 20, in the U. S. National Cemetery.

Military Honors will be conducted by Olson Frary Burkhart Post No. 1165 V.F.W.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday at Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to either the Marc James DiNardo Scholarship Fund at Fort Scott Community College or Hospice Compassus and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.