He was born in Springfield on March 5, 1948, the son of Joseph H. and Marie L. Rechner. He married Suzanne Nicholson on June 7, 1969 at Blessed Sacrament Parish.
Jim attended Griffin High School, graduating in 1966, and graduated from the University of Missouri Rolla with the class of 1970. He was the Electric Division Manager at CWLP and Chairman of Springfield Electrical Commission. He retired from CWLP after 29 years, and retired from Menard County Electric after 15 years.
Jim was a faithful member of Blessed Sacrament. He was also a member of the Springfield Motor Boat Club, IEEE, ISPE, and Phi Kappa Theta. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, and has a brick on Waveland Avenue with his name on it at Wrigley Field Stadium. He enjoyed golfing, tending to his vegetable gardens, and fishing with his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Joseph F. Rechner; and one sister, Kathryn Power.
James is survived by his wife, Suzanne; daughters, Kerensa (David) Eggers of Cicero, IN, Julia (Matt) Byerly of Chicago, IL, and Leah (Matt) Lenzner of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren, Ashton, Parker, and Mimi Byerly and Jack and Zoe Lenzner; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation: Family will receive friends on Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. A prayer service will be held prior to visitation at 3:45pm.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am on Friday, February 16, 2024 at Blessed Sacrament Parish with Fr. Jeff Grant officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Parish or Animal Protective League.
The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.
Please visit butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.
