James Begler

James Paul Begler

Age 93 of Coal City, passed away Thursday morning, December 29, 2011 at Asta Care of Pontiac.

Born September 12, 1918 in Wilmington, Jim was a son of the late Joseph Henry and Jennie Cairns-Begler. He was raised and educated in Wilmington and continued on to serve his Country with the United States Army. Jim entered into service on November 26, 1940 and served in the Pacific Theatre of Operations, as well as throughout New Guinea, prior to his honorable discharge November 26, 1946. On May 28, 1955, Jim married Josephine Vilt in Assumption Catholic Church in Coal City, and together they owned and operated Jo's Steak House in Diamond for 22 years. Jim was a member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church in Coal City, The Knights of Columbus, and a lifetime member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars. He will forever be remembered as a great Chicago Cubs fan, and for his tremendous enjoyment of travel, golf, fishing and sending emails.

Survivors include his stepson: Ronald (Sandy) Kaiser of Sun City, Arizona; four grandsons: Michael Kaiser of Braidwood, Ronald (Jill) Kaiser of Arizona, James Kaiser of Texas, Patrick Kaiser of Coal City and Brent (Tammy) Kaiser of Texas; one granddaughter Kathleen (Gavin) Turk, and four great grandchildren: Karissa, Kody, Kasey and Ryan, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; loving wife Josephine on June 1, 2005; stepson Wayne (Nobuko) Kaiser; three brothers, three sisters and his special niece Sandra Kahler.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Thursday January 5, 2012 between the hours of 3:00PM and 7:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway (one block North of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. Funeral services will follow Friday morning January 6th at 9:30AM in Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 245 South Kankakee Street in Coal City, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Jim Curtin officiating.

Burial will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, where Jim will be laid to rest with his beloved wife Josephine.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jim's memory to St. Jude's Memorial Children's Hospital or Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church Building Fund.

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

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Coal City. (815/634-2125)