James Norris

James F. Norris

Age 77 of Coal City, passed away Thursday afternoon, October 12, 2017 at RML Specialty Hospital in Hinsdale surrounded by his loving family.

Born February 12, 1940 in Elsah Township, Illinois, James Franklin was a son of Other and Mary (Pollard) Norris. He was raised and educated in White Hall, Illinois and graduated from White Hall High School with the class of 1958. Following graduation, James entered the United States Army, where he proudly served from 1959 to 1962. On October 27, 1962, James married Donna Jane Suttles at the Calvary Baptist Church in White Hall, and soon thereafter took a job with Caterpillar in Joliet. He retired from Caterpillar after 31 years as a machinist.

James can be described as a Jack of all trades. Some of his favorite activities included gardening, fishing, mushroom hunting, fixing cars, boating and water skiing at the Coal City Area Club and building homes. James always made time to participate in his kids sports and also made sure that his family would go on vacation at least once a year. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who treasured his time surrounded by his family.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 55 years, Donna Jane; four children: Gerald (Michele) Norris of Lawton, Oklahoma, Belinda (Rick) Taylor of Coal City, Ron (Tammy) Norris of Goose Lake and Scott (Erin) Norris of Diamond; twenty grandchildren: Jason (Chrystel) Maloney, Tiffany (James) Uplinger, Dylan Norris, Phillip Bacigalupo, Christine Wallace, Kyle (Amber) Banks, Matthew Mancuso, Matthew (Rachel) Trofimchuck, Amanda (Anthony) Pogliano, Natalie, Mikayla, Olivia, Katelyn, Lynzie and Chandler Norris, Megan, Grace and Jimmy Norris, Dawn Pfeiffer and Rickey (Amanda) Taylor; twenty-nine great-grandchildren; brother: Douglas (Mary Jane) Norris of Berdan, Illinois, and sister: Patty Ann (Fred) Anthony of White Hall, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

James was preceded in death by his parents; six sisters: Sarah Knight, Mildred Waters, Pat Havlin, Dorothy Ashlock, Cornelia Cummings and Bert Bohanan; five brothers: Robert Norris, John Norris, George Norris, Charlie Norris and Cecil Norris.

The family will receive friends on Monday, October 16, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until time of service 7:00 p.m.  at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 N. Broadway (one block north of Illinois Route 113) in Coal City. Pastor Bradley Shumaker will officiate.

Cremation rites will be accorded following the services.

Burial with full military honors will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood. Guests wishing to attend are asked to arrive at the welcome center by 9:45 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, preferred memorials may be made as gifts in James' memory to the American Cancer Society.

Family and Friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share James' memorial page 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)