James O. Adelsberger, 87, of Emmitsburg, died peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, at St. Catherine's Nursing Center in Emmitsburg. 

Born May 24, 1921, in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Dwen and Adele Adelsberger. James was happily married for 55 years to the late Lorretta C. (Sanders) Adelsberger. 

James was a member of the Emmitsburg Memorial VFW, Post 6658, the American Legion Francis X. Elder Post 121 and a lifelong communicant of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Emmitsburg. His hobbies included stamp collecting, hunting and fishing. 

After 35 dedicated years of service to the United States Post Office in Emmitsburg, James retired with 40 years of service to the United States government, having served five years with the U.S. Army Air Corps. 

During his time in the Air Corps, James rose to the rank of sergeant and faithfully defended Hickam Airfield at Pearl Harbor during the attack, Dec. 7, 1941. 

James is survived by three sons, Ken Adelsberger and his spouse, Linda, Roy Adelsberger and his spouse, Betsy, and Greg Adelsberger and his spouse, Sue; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Jane Adelsberger-Streets and Adele Adelsberger-Engel; one brother, John Adelsberger; and several nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his wife, James was predeceased by two sons, Edward Adelsberger and Robert Adelsberger; two grandsons, Bobby Adelsberger and Matt Sanders; three brothers, Joseph Adelsberger Jr., Francis Adelsberger and Eugene "Gus" Adelsberger; and three sisters, Martina Adelsberger-Mooney, Ann Adelsberger-Fleischman and Alice Adelsberger-Dunn. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated  Friday, Feb. 27, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 47 DePaul St., Emmitsburg. The Rev. Stephen P. Trzecieski, C.M., was celebrant. 

Interment was in the St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Emmitsburg.