L. James “Jim” Held, 86, Hermann, passed away Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 at Hermann Area District Hospital.
He was born Oct. 7, 1933, to Benjamin J. and Wilma Louise Lydia (Bohl) Held, in Pershing.
He was united in marriage to Betty (Meyer) Held, Dec. 23, 1955, in Pershing.
Jim served in the U.S. Navy from 1955-57. He was a member of St. Paul UCC, Hermann, and the International Fellowship of Christian Businessmen. He and wife, Betty, owned Stone Hill Winery, which received Missouri’s Small Business of the Year award from President Ronald Reagan in 1982. The couple received the first Hall of Fame Award from the Missouri Division of Tourism in 1988 and were named Wine Growing Family of the Year. In 2014 the University of Missouri bestowed on Jim an honorary Doctorate of Laws Degree. He served on the board of Bay-Hermann-Berger Bank, was past president of the Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce, Junior Chamber of Commerce and Missouri Vintners Association, was past chair of the Grape and Wine Advisory Board, served on the Missouri Tourism Commission; and was a 45-year member of the Hermann’s Lions Club.
He was preceded in death by parents, Benjamin and Wilma; brothers, Robert and Don Held; and grandson, James R. Held.
He is survived by wife, Betty; children, Jon Held and wife Karen of Hermann, Patty Held and Thomas Held and wife Andrea, all of Hermann, and Julie Brandfield and husband Steve of New York City; sister, Marilyn Homeister of Tiffon, Ohio; and nine grandchildren, five step-grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be Thursday, Nov. 14, from 3-8 p.m. at Toedtmann & Grosse Funeral Home, Hermann. Funeral services will be Friday, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m. at St. Paul UCC, Hermann. Burial with full military honors will be at Hermann Cemetery. Memorial contributions suggested to St. Paul UCC of Hermann.
