James Richard "Jim" Turley

KEWANEE – James Richard “Jim” Turley, 82, of Kewanee, died at 10:20 p.m., Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at his home.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 6 at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, IL where military rites will be accorded. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Friday, November 16 at the Kewanee Elks Lodge. Memorials may be directed to the American Legion for wounded veterans and their families. Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee is in charge of arrangements.

He was born January 12, 1936 in Springfield, IL, the son of Thomas Orville and Annetta (Nokes) Turley. Survivors include his wife, Rae of Kewanee, two sons, Richard (Vicki) Turley and Jack (Lynn) Turley, both of Kewanee, a daughter, Jerri Pettersson of Hampton, GA, a brother, George (Virginia) Turley of Chatham, IL, two sisters, Annetta “Babe” Books of Sherman, IL and Christine Turner of Chatham, IL, five grandchildren; Chris Matuszyk, Amanda Matuszyk, Travis Turley, Dana Turley and Lisa Hampton and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.

Jim graduated from Lanphier High School in January of 1954. He joined the U.S. Air Force in January of 1955 and served his country until October 20, 1958. He married Jeanne “Rae” Perritt on November 22, 1957 in El Paso, TX. They moved to Springfield, IL where they lived until he went to work for General Telephone Company. He worked for them in Kewanee, Monmouth and then back to Kewanee where he worked until he retired after 30 years. While in Monmouth he was a member of the Jaycees and is a member of the Kewanee Elks Lodge #724 and a co-founder of the Kewanee Ducks Unlimited. He enjoyed doing handy-man work, going on cruises, “tinkering” in his garage, playing solitaire on his computer and cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals. Jim was also a lifetime member of the American Legion. 

Jim loved his family with all his heart and was always there for them. He will be missed by all who knew him.

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