James “Jim” Jennings

A graveside service was held at Graceland Cemetery.

Our loved one, James “Jim” Jennings, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home in Albion, Illinois on April 22, 2023, at age 69. Jim was born in Blue Island, Illinois, to Leo and Claudia (Martini) Jennings, on August 7, 1953. He joined a blended family of 8 children, of which he was the seventh child. He married the love of his life, Gail Elliott on March 29, 1986.

Jim enjoyed baseball and watching sports on television on a Saturday afternoon. Mowing the grass was something that Jim found to be a joy in itself. Jim loved to bowl.  A wonderful friend and caring uncle, he will long be remembered for his stories that made us laugh. Jim was a high school graduate having attended Bone Gap grade school and Edwards County High School. He was a certified mechanic at Bare’s Garage in Bone Gap where he credits his boss Milton Bare with mentoring him. Jim relocated to Nebraska for a few years where he was a truck driver. Returning to the Albion area, Jim was an oil field worker working for Johnson and Briggs.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Gail; by his parents, Leo and Claudia Jennings; his sisters Eva Jennings Skold, and Bula Jennings; and his brothers Delbert, Willard, Leslie, and Martin.

Jim leaves a sister, Leeann Barksdale of Michigan City, IN. He is cherished in memory by his surviving nieces: Jody Tavarres of Beloit, WI; Ruth (John) Mitchell of Taylorsville, KY; Pam (Tim) Kenyon of Austin, TX; and his nephews: Ronald (Patricia) Skold of Orland Park, IL; Roy Jennings of Hammond, IN; Larry Jennings of Jasper, TN; Mark (Leighann) Jennings of Tanner, AL; and Matt (Debbie) Jennings of Tucson, AZ.

Our family gratefully acknowledges First Baptist Church, Albion, for their love; Jim’s hospice caregivers and home care aides from Shawnee Health, Help at Home, Carle Home Care and Hospice Olney Branch, for their professional and compassionate care.

But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

A private graveside service was held at Graceland Cemetery, Albion IL.

Ingram Meridith Funeral Home, Albion, IL.