Jim Antill

ANTILL, WESSLING, SEDLACEK, NOCILO, FARRELL

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 12/19/2012 at 13:13:30

Jim Antill, of Coralville, IA, his 69 years of life ended peacefully at home after a long fight with the odious disease cancer on December 12, 2012. He was at home with loving family and friends.

Jim was born in Batavia, IL on December 24, 1942. He graduated from Marmion Military Academy in Aurora IL, and Webster College in Webster Groves, MO. His goal in life was to be a Broadway lighting designer. However, reality reared its fateful head and he found his career as a Test and Balance Engineer. His first jobs at The University of Iowa were the College of Nursing Building and the Bowen Science Building. Over the next 30 years, Jim trained and mentored many technicians. He was an officer and a lifetime member of the Cedar Valley ASHRAE chapter, an organization dedicated to the best in HVAC. Jim retired in April of 2008. He also designed and built ‘The Brainer Trainer’ which he donated to the University of Iowa Controls Group. This device will aid in future training of University personal and engineering students.

Jim was a founding member of the Hawkeye Model Railroad Club (HMRC) in Coralville, IA. His love of trains will be carried on through the years by his grandchildren and other model train enthusiasts for years to come.

Jim was brought kicking and screaming to the Bristol Renaissance Fair by his wife and within a year he came to love the Renaissance lifestyle and designed and developed their security system. He also served as head of security for 10 years.

Jim brought Santa Claus to life for 20 years at various malls and organizations in Iowa City, Amanas, Cedar Rapids, and Elyria, OH. As “Santa & Jessica Claus” he loved convincing children that Santa would live forever as long as they held him tight in their hearts.

Other interest and hobbies included: Model airplanes, golf, sci-fi, and photography. Jim and Judith loved traveling to see children, friends, and special places of mutual interests.

Jim is survived by his loving wife and friend of 48 years Judith, four of the most exceptional children on the planet: Lisa Antill, Jennifer (Randy) Wessling, Sean Antill and Scott Antill, ten extraodinary grandchildren: Kirsten Antill, Andrew Antill, Benjamin Sedlacek, Eric Sedlacek, Brendon Antill, Hailey Antill, Seth Antill, Alison Antill, Logan Antill, and Rebecca Antill Wessling, a niece Rachael Nocilo and her son Kyle, and of course the entire Farrell clan of Geneva, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Mary Lou Antill, and his sisters Sheila and Kathy Antill.

Jim will be remembered by his family and friends as a man that loved every moment of life.