James L Tomlinson

Born December 1, 1920 in Harness, AR to Emerson and Mary (Branscum) Tomlinson, he was the first of nine children. He married Pauline Hazel Passmore on January 23, 1948 in Marshall, AR. Jim loved his wife of 67 years.

Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Janet (John) Johnson of Pekin and Evelyn Tomlinson of Normal; two sons, Dr. Allen (Ann) Tomlinson of Merrimack, NH and Ronald (Patricia) Tomlinson of Pekin; nine grandchildren, Mike (Terri) Chism of Metamora, Jamie McDougall, Jennifer Soncek, both of Pekin, Carl (Cindy) Tomlinson of Auburn, WA, Amy (Steve) Paxton of Marysville, WA, Jeff Tomlinsonof Kent, WA, Amanda (Rusty) Smith of Nashua, NH, Kathryn (Bradley) Thompson of Greenfield, NH, Nathan (Holly) Tomlinson of Milford, NH; three step-grandchildren, Tim (Sherrie) Johnson of Washington, James (Joanne) Johnson of Fort Huachuca, AZ and Catherine (Eric) Meyer of Springfield; 24 great-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; one step-great-great-granddaughter and one sister, Faye Lynn of Marshall, AR. He also leaves a daughter-in-law, Diane Tomlinson of Auburn, WA.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Aubrey Tomlinson; three brothers and four sisters.

He was a World War II Army veteran serving in the European Theater and attained the rank of Sergeant. He also had served in the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Jim worked as a meat cutter in the Pekin and Peoria area. He retired in 1982 and then worked as a custodian with his wife at Calvary Baptist Church in Pekin for several years. Jim loved working on cars, camping, traveling and fishing when he was young. He also loved playing dominos with his wife and family.

Jim was a follower of Jesus Christ and was a faithful member of Bethany Baptist Church in Peoria. His passion was reading the Bible, doing daily devotions with Pauline and listening to Moody Radio. He will be remembered as an excellent father and grandfather.

His funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 2015 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. The Rev. Dr. Ritch Boerckel and Rev. Lyall Sutton will officiate. Visitation will be from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, with military rites accorded by the United States Army and the Tazewell Military Rites Team.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Baptist Church, 7422 North Heinz Lane, Edwards, IL 61528 or to Pekin First Church of the Nazarene for the Target 2015 Building Fund, 3514 Broadway, Pekin, IL 61554.

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