James Anderson

James "Otis" AndersonJames "Otis" Anderson, 54, Vincennes, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014, at Good Samaritan Hospital surrounded by loved ones.He fought a hard battle with melanoma for more than a year.Born Nov. 17, 1959, in Sullivan, he was the son of O.K. and Vera Lou Anderson.A great organizer, Otis founded the Balloons Over Mid America Fest in the early 90s and was often seen flying his hot air balloon over the Knox County area. He retired from Golden Rule Insurance in Lawrenceville, Ill., after 20 years with the company. He also managed the Roller Dome in Vincennes for a number of years.Otis had a winning smile and was known for his sense of humor. He loved his family and friends and enjoyed nothing more than getting everyone together to play euchre, dice, or washers as well as many other games and activities too numerous to count.He is survived by his wife, Karen (Bahr) Anderson, whom he married March 7, 2003; his mother, Vera Lou Anderson of Plainfield; two daughters, Zoe Lukens and her husband, Laban, of Vincennes, and Jasmine Marie Anderson at home; a son, Brandon Sievers of Vincennes; a brother, Jerry Anderson and his wife, Pam, of Louisville, Ky.; a sister, Karen Hole and her husband, Greg, of Plainfield; and two grandchildren, Shaye Lukens and Landon Lukens, both of Vincennes.He is preceded in death by his father.Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. Sunday at Goodwin Funeral Home, 524 Broadway St. The funeral service will be performed at 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home, with burial to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.