James (Jim) Thomas Jennings, age 84, of Marion, IL passed away at the VA Community Living Center in Marion with family by his side at 9:11 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2014.
He was born December 20, 1929, in Marion, IL to Thomas Logan and Orpha (Owen) Jennings. He was united in marriage to Betty June Rametta on September 23, 1954, in Tupelo, MS and together they shared fifty-six year together, until she passed away on January 28, 2011.
He honorably served our country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After returning from the service he worked for Rametta Bros. Trucking. Then, in 1982 he was employed with Armark (Charles Todd) of Marion, IL, where he retired at age 70.
In Jim’s spare time he enjoyed tinkering with electronics, working around his home which he built from the ground up, with the help of his children. After retirement, Betty and he traveled the US from the east coast to the west coast.
He is survived by his beloved Toy Chihuahua Mia, a son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Lulu Jennings, of Marion, IL; five daughters and sons-in-laws, Kaye Sprague and her husband, Ed Frauz, of Perryville, MO, Karen Jennings and her husband, John E. Stephens of Carterville, IL, Brenda and Steve Buttrum of Pittsburg, IL, Tammy and Jimmy Haseker of Creal Springs, IL, Pamela and Eric Hines of Johnston City, IL. Also an individual, who in his eyes was another daughter, Paula (Branche) White, of Pittsburg, IL; eleven grandchildren, Jennifer, Jimmy, Khristopher, Mary Elizabeth, Brian, Jonathan, Tony, Amanda, Robert, Cynthia and Courtney, sixteen great grandchildren, four who was very special to him; Brooklyn, Kandace, Miracle and Julia Jennings.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, parents, two brothers; Loren and Robert (Earl) and seven sisters: Elfie, Effie, Emma, Madge, Maxine, Ludine, and Phyllis.
Funeral services will be Sunday, June 29, 2014 at 2 pm at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home in Marion with Rev. Ronald G. Walls officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery with military rites presented members of the Marion VFW Post #1301, American Legion Post #147 and National Guard Flag Detail Unit. Visitation will be Saturday evening from 5 – 8 pm at the funeral home.
For those who prefer memorials may be made to the VA Community Living Center. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home, 800 North Market Street, Marion, IL 62959.