Mr. C. James "Jim" Reeves passed away peacefully Saturday, June 26, 2010, at his home.
Jim was a loving, kind and outgoing man, who devoted his life to his family, the students of Summit Hill School District in Frankfort, from where he taught for 39 years, and to the community of Wilmington, where he was the current owner and third generation funeral director of his family business.
Born in Joliet, a son of the late Charles W. and Juanita E. (Palmer) Reeves, Jim was raised and educated in Wilmington and graduated from Wilmington High School. He continued his education at Illinois Wesleyan University, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon. He also was a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, and he attended Northern Illinois University, Joliet Junior College and Governor's State University.
Jim married Sandra Younghusband on Oct. 31, 1964, in Saint Bernard Catholic Church in Joliet. Together, they made Wilmington their home.
Jim taught at Arbury Hills, prior to gaining a position at Summit Hill Junior High in Frankfort, from where he retired in 2001. It was after the death of Jim's father, Charles, that he took over the operations of JCG Reeves Funeral Home, Inc., in Wilmington. He can be remembered for his sincere compassion and truly caring ways, in which he honorably served so many families throughout Wilmington and the surrounding towns.
Jim was a tremendous philanthropist. This was demonstrated through his involvement and recognition throughout the community. He was a member of Saint Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, where he was past president of Parish Council, sang in the choir, served as a Eucharistic Minister, lector and was also involved with Saint Rose School, where he held a position on the school board and was past president.
Jim carried on his father's legacy with the Wilmington Public Library, where he was past vice-president and was currently acting president. He belonged to the Wilmington Rotary, where he served as past president. He was also a member of the Wilmington Moose Lodge and held a seat on the board for the Wilmington School District Foundation for Excellence. In 2006, the Wilmington Lodge 206 A.F. & A.M. acknowledged Jim with the Community Builder's Award. Through the funeral home, he was a member of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, who bestowed upon him the honor of Business Man of the Year in 2007. Jim was a member of the Fr. George Kuzma Council of the Knights of Columbus in Wilmington and was named Man of the Year in 2009. He also belonged to the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, The Wilmington Garden Club and held memberships at The Field Museum and The Art Institute of Chicago.
Jim was a true artist at heart, and he can be remembered for his love of the fine arts. He could often be found in his gardens or cooking, and he was a true collector and was known for his creative story telling. He loved to travel and represented the American Council for International Studies (ACIS), from which he had many memorable trips with his students, around the globe. Jim truly loved his family and cherished the time spent with his grandchildren.
Survivors include his loving wife of 45 years, Sandy; two daughters, Tristin (Ben) Holman of Oswego, Ill., and Megan (David) VanDuyne of Wilmington, Ill.; seven grandchildren, Trevor Matczak, Taylor VanDuyne, Zoie Holman, Neve VanDuyne, Delaney Holman, Reese VanDuyne and Dane Reeves VanDuyne; one brother, Gregory Reeves of Wilmington; two sisters, Janice Cracraft and Carol (Don) Kodrick, both of Shorewood, Ill.; one brother-in-law, Roger (Irene) Younghusband of Wilton Center, Ill.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, as well as furry companions, including Bob the cat and his grand pups, Cody and Stella.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Charles W. and Juanita (Palmer) Reeves; mother and father-in-law, Harry and Gretchen Younghusband; brother-in-law, William Younghusband; uncle, James I. (Sylvia) Reeves; special aunt, Leona Canaday; nephew, Rick Bray; and many dear close and long-time family friends.
Visitation and video tribute will be held from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at Reeves Funeral Home, 219 North Joliet St. (two blocks north of Illinois 53/Baltimore Street) in Wilmington.
Funeral services will follow at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 1 at Saint Rose Catholic Church, 624 South Kankakee St., Wilmington, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Rev. Steve Bondi and Deacon Don Dyer will officiate.
Burial will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wilmington. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be Greg Reeves, Trevor Matczak, Ben Holman, David VanDuyne, Erich Slouf, Todd Richardson, Benny Holman, Chris Tessler, Jack Mateski, Dave Stemen, John Newman and Chris McFarland.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jim's memory to the Wilmington School District 209-U Foundation for Excellence (to establish a scholarship for teaching), 209U Wildcat Court, Wilmington, Ill., 60481, or to Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 South Main St., Wilmington, Ill., 60481.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by logging onto www.ReevesFuneral.com.
For additional information, contact Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington at (815) 476-7621.