BRYAN, James M. 1925-2009

BOUILLON, BRYAN, WILLOCK

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/21/2009 at 11:07:38

RANTOUL, ILLINOIS - James M. (Jim) Bryan, age 83, of Rantoul, Illinois, and formerly of Geneva, Illinois, and Charles City, Iowa, died on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 in Urbana, Illinois. after a brief illness.

Jim was born on November 3, 1925 in Charles City, Floyd county, Iowa to Tom and Ruth Bryan. He was brother to Robert (Tommy Lou) of Gilroy, California, Dorothy (Robert) Kerr of Rockton, Illinois, Betty (Edward) Weiss of Alameda, California, and his twin brother John, all of whom precede him in death. His brother Billy and twin siblings Jean and John died before Jim was born.

Jim served in World War II on the Navy ship U.S.S. Mississippi.

Jim attended Upper Iowa University and taught school for a short time. He then married Charlotte Bouillon of Charles City.

Jim and his first wife Charlotte sold radio advertisements for a time and Jim tried his hand at selling insurance before he eventually started working for Dukane Corporation as a purchasing agent in St. Charles, Illinois, where he stayed until his retirement in 1992.

In 1967, three major events happened: There were the snows of the winter of ‘66-67, a tornado came through Geneva and destroyed his newly-built garage, and in August, Charlotte and infant son John Theodore died. Jim liked to tell the story that his first wife died on August 6 and he married his second wife on August 7. Then he would slyly add with a wink — three years later.

In 1971, he married Phyllis Willock. Phyllis and Jim lived in Geneva, Illinois until 2003, when he and Phyllis moved to Rantoul. Jim had a great sense of humor, which he had right up until the end. Jim was a sensitive soul who had a depth of love and kindness for many.

Along with his wife, Phyllis, survivors also include his daughters Mary of Brookfield, Illinois, Jane (Doug) Jordahl of Rantoul, Barbara Moerman of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Denise (John) Bratschun of Batavia, Illinois, Joy (Stewart) Kline of Macomb, Illinois, David (Patti) Willock of Colchester, Illinois, and James Willock.

He was a wonderful grandfather to Charlotte, Allison, Jared, Lindsay, Adrienne, Erin, Amber, Shawna and TJ. He was a great-grandfather to Mason, Madelyn and Dillon.

He was an adored uncle to Nancy, Jim, Linda, Liz, Jennifer, Barry, Steve and Brian.

He was a great son-in-law to Cleda Lynch (who before marrying Phyllis, said with a wink that he wanted to meet the mother in case he wanted to marry her instead).

He was a brother-in-law to Betty Hines of Dandridge, Tennessee, and to Ron Reining of Kingsport, Tennessee.

In addition to his first wife Charlotte and infant son John Theodore, he was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 8 at Lux Memorial Chapel, located at 1551 East Grove in Rantoul, Illinois. Dr. Joe Scheets will officiate. There will be a private graveside service at a later date.