Jim Howell

Born October 10, 1941 in Cambridge, Ohio to Sherman James and Lois Janelle (Alexander) Howell, he married Sharon Kay Lundeen on September 8, 1994 at Las Vegas, Nevada. She died August 6, 2023 in Pekin. He also was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Margaret Johnson.

Surviving are six children, Lori Ann (Randy) Fraboni of Metamora, Cynthia “Cindy” (Richard) Beasley of Bourbonnais, Jay (Eva) Howell of Glen Carbon, Patricia Linn (Darin) St. Ivany of Manhattan Beach, California, Carla (Pete) Kinsey of Glen Carbon and Kathy (Shary) Waeckerle of Arnold, Missouri; seventeen grandchildren, Andrea (Mike) Person, Martina (Jason) Smith, Vince (Emily Albright) Fraboni, Jennifer (Brian) Kustwin, Ryan Beasley, Danielle (Tyler Horton) Beasley, Lucas Howell, Justin Howell, Jessica (Emily) Howell, Jack St. Ivany, Bella St. Ivany, Tucker St. Ivany, Sam (Hannah) Fink, Olivia Fink, Stephen Waeckerle, Ashley (Joe) Case and Shannen Kinsey; thirteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Harry Lee Howell of Pennsylvania and a special nephew, Brad (Cheryl) Lenth of Glen Carbon. He also leaves his little dog, Angel.

Jim graduated in 1959 from high school in Coshocton, Ohio. He then served in the United States Army until 1961 and attained the rank of sergeant.

He was a Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi and BMW automobile dealer in Collinsville and St. Louis over 25 years. In 1990 he sold his dealership and then worked as a longtime sales associate for Velde Cadillac & GMC in Pekin, where he was perennial salesman of the year. Anyone that knew Jim, knew that his passion was selling cars. In all, Jim enjoyed more than 50 years in the automobile industry. He also enjoyed playing racquetball and tennis.

Jim loved to travel with his wife, Sharon. His wife, children and grandchildren meant the world to him. He was a member of Pekin Moose Family Center 916, Roy L. King Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1232 and Pekin Eagles Aerie 1869.

He was of the Methodist faith.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 1, 2024 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Judy Doyle will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will be in Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded by the United States Navy and the Tazewell Area Ceremonial Team.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116; Illinois CancerCare Foundation, 8940 Wood Sage Road, Peoria, IL 61615 and Alzheimer’s Association, 614 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, IL 61614.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com