C. James Reeves

C. James Reeves

"Jim"

Passed away peacefully Saturday June 26th 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. (nee 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; was a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, and attended Northern Illinois University, Joliet Junior College and Governor's State University. On October 31, 1964, Jim married Sandra Younghusband in Saint Bernard Catholic Church in Joliet, and 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 that he took over the operations of JCG Reeves Funeral Home, Inc. in Wilmington, and 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 and 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, was 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, and 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 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 can be remembered for his love of the fine arts. He could often be found in his gardens or cooking, 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 and Megan (David) VanDuyne of Wilmington; 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; one brother-in-law Roger (Irene) Younghusband of Wilton Center, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, as well as furry companions: Bob the cat and his grand pups: Cody and Stella.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Charles W. and Juanita (nee 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 on Wednesday June 30, 2010 between the hours of 2:00PM and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 219 North Joliet Street (two blocks North of Illinois Route 53 / Baltimore Street) in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow Thursday July 1st at 10:00AM in Saint Rose Catholic Church, 624 South Kankakee Street in Wilmington, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Steve Bondi and Deacon Don Dyer officiating.

Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Wilmington, and 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 Wilmington School District Foundation for Excellence to establish a scholarship for teaching or to Kuzma Care Cottage.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

For additional information, please phone Reeves Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-7621)