Jim Jennings

Born November 23, 1942 in Peoria to James Wesley and Thelma A. (Zimmerman) Jennings, he married Karen Marie Jarnagan on August 27, 1966 in West Peoria. Together they were blessed with 51 years of marriage.

Surviving are his wife; one son, James W. “Jim” (Sue) Jennings, III of Charlotte, North Carolina; one daughter, Joely Ann (Neale “Buster”) Hanley of Pekin; six grandchildren, Tyler Reed Hanley, Timothy James Jennings, Megan Nicole Hanley, Samuel Richard Jennings, James Wesley “Jake” Jennings, IV and Sophia Mae Jennings; one brother, William F. (Sue) Jennings of Avon Park, Florida and five nieces and nephews, Cindy (Gary) Byrne of Barrington, Diane Endress of Princeville, Denny (Donna) Brandenburg of Princeville, Pastor Marty (Kathy) Hunt of Edelstein and Dan (Ashley) Hunt of Germantown Hills.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Sue Ann Hunt and Eileen D. Brandenburg.

Jim was a 1962 graduate of Peoria High School and served in the United States Army as a Military Policeman from 1964 to 1966.

He retired in 1995 from Central Illinois Light Company as a relief operator at the E.D. Edwards Power Station, with 27 years of service. He worked part time at Fourteenth Street Hardware in retirement.

Jim found joy spending time with family, attending his grandchildren’s activities, family reunions, and holidays with the entire family.

He also loved spending time in his garage, building trailers and helping friends & family by fixing most anything. He was mechanically inclined and an excellent welder.

Jim was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and NASCAR. He enjoyed his annual trip to Talladega Superspeedway with race friends. He also enjoyed fishing and regularly going to Busy Corner for breakfast with friends.

Jim was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, where he served as a volunteer with Grace Café & Food Pantry.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 17, 2018 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Marty Hunt, his nephew, will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin, with military rites provided by the United States Army.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.

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