James Michael Rosenthal Sr.

James was born April 20, 1940, in St. Louis, MO, the son of Harold and Helen (Michael) Rosenthal. He married Lynn Traver Ammons on December 21, 2003, in Las Vegas, NV.

James graduated from Cleveland High School where he was on the swimming team. He then attended Mizzou where he was on the cheer team. James joined ROTC and then joined the Navy where he proudly served on the USS Randolph. He was employed with the State of Illinois in computer networking until his retirement in 2015 after 17 years of service. James earned his Eagle Scout and was the youngest to earn this rank in St. Louis, MO at that time. He later became a Scoutmaster. He was always interested in astronomy and was a member of the Springfield Astronomical Society. James was a Formula 6 race car driver as a young adult. He loved intellectual conversations, was an avid reader and enjoyed ornithology (bird watching), hunting for Morrell mushrooms, cooking, especially Chicken Marrakesh, and was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Richard Rosenthal.

James is survived by his wife, Lynn of Springfield; daughter, Gayle Rosenthal of St. Louis, MO; sons, James (Peggy) Rosenthal, Jr. of Amsterdam, Michael Rosenthal of Springfield, and Daniel (Vanessa) Rosenthal of O’Fallon, MO; stepchildren, Rick (Karen) Ammons of Las Vegas, NV, Patricia (Tom) Ammons of Springfield, and Sandra (Jim) Murphy of Honduras; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Burial will be held in the Spring of 2026 at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.