Jimmy Melhorn

Jimmy R. Melhorn

"Jim"

Age 70 of Wilmington and formerly Elwood, passed away Tuesday March 6, 2012 at Silver Cross Medical Center in New Lenox.

Born October 31, 1941 in Middle Creek, Tennessee, Jim is a son of Arttie Marie Beasley-Melhorn and the late Herman C. Melhorn. He was a graduate of Joliet Township High School with the Class of 1960 and honorably served in the United States Army. Jim retired as a maintenance supervisor from Commonwealth Edison Dresden Station in 1997, after 37 years of service. He then gained employment with C&A Disposal Corp and most recently worked at Evans Lawn and Garden in Wilmington. Jim attended Island City Baptist Church in Wilmington; was a member of the Wilmington American Legion #191, was a founding member of CECO Recreation, former member of the Manhattan Lions Club and was a charter member of the Kingsway Kickers. He had a tremendous passion for fishing and greatly enjoyed gardening, playing euchre and camping.

Survivors include his mother Arttie Marie Melhorn; wife Sheri (nee Simmons); children: Bruce (Michelle) Melhorn of Manhattan, Belinda "Jean" (Eric, I) Smith of West DesMoines, Iowa, Kevin (Debbie) Binzen of Plainfield and Mark (Carla) Binzen of Channahon; eight grandchildren: Eric Smith II, Amanda Smith, Faith Smith, Austin Smith, Courtney Binzen, Lindsey Binzen, Robert Stewart and Daniel Stewart; five brothers and one sister: George (Annie) Melhorn and Anna Melhorn, both of Wartburg, Tennessee, Jesse (Sheila) Melhorn of Coalfield, Tennessee, Dave (Kathy) Melhorn of Wilmington, Harold (Judy) Melhorn of Minooka and Claude Melhorn of Wartburg, Tennessee and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his father Herman C. Melhorn and two brothers: Tom and Eugene.

The family would like to extend special appreciation to Doctors: Garapatti, Penaherrera, Nagarkatte and Sumida, as well as their staff members at Silver Cross Hospital for the tremendous care and attention given to Jim.

Visitation and Video Tribute will be held on Thursday March 8, 2012 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. (815/476-2181). Funeral services will follow Friday March 9th at 11:30AM in the funeral home with Pastor Ron Taylor from Island City Baptist Church officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood at 1:00PM.

Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers will be: Kevin Binzen, Mark Binzen, Eric Smith II, Eric Smith I, George Melhorn, Dave Melhorn and Mike Melhorn.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jim's memory to the American Lung Association or American Heart Association.

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

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)