James T. Bigelow, 92, of Austin, Minn., died Thursday, April 17, 2014 at Mayo Clinic Health System-Austin. He was born Oct. 12, 1921, to Newton and Edna (Larson) Bigelow in Albert Lea, Minn., where he grew up and graduated from high school. James enlisted in the National Guard on Oct. 13, 1939, serving in Company G of the 135th Infantry, 34th Division. He went into the Army on Feb. 10, 1941, stationed at Camp Claiborne, La., and Fort Dix, N.J., in HQ Co. Second Battalion, 339th Infantry. Serving in the European Theater of Operations in Northern Ireland, Italy and North Africa, he earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. James was honorably discharged on Sept. 11, 1945. He married Doris M. Sheldon on Sept. 13, 1953 at First Baptist Church in Plainfield, Iowa. He was employed by Railway Express Agency in Austin as a messenger, and then at Milwaukee Road as a fireman and brakeman before retiring in 1982.

Survivors include his wife, Doris of Austin; a sister, Doris Madson of St. Cloud, Minn.,; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William, Warren and Clair Bigelow; sister, Annabelle Hanson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at Grace Baptist Church, 100 Fourth Avenue Southeast in Austin, with the Rev. Brett Williams officiating. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment is at Osage Cemetery, Osage, Iowa, with military rites by VFW Post 7920 of Osage, Iowa. Worlein Funeral Home of Austin in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.