James W. "Jim" Little

KEWANEE – James W. “Jim” Little, 71, of Kewanee, died at 2:50 p.m., Sunday, August 26, 2018 at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 29 at the Church of Peace in rural Kewanee. Rev. Dan Craig will officiate. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 28 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee. Burial will be in Garden of Peace Cemetery where military rites will be accorded by the Kewanee Veterans Council. Memorials may be directed to the Kewanee Park District.

He was born January 25, 1947 in Kewanee, the son of Betty Little. Survivors include his wife, Betsy Little, a daughter, Michelle (Jim) Anderson, grandchildren; Deborah Hager, Kirsten Hager, Bryce Anderson and Tess Anderson, his sister, Joyce (Don) Swearingen, mother-in-law, Hazel Boswell, sisters-in-law; Judy Quagliano, Nancy (Don) VanDeSampel and Michelle Ricciardi, nieces and nephews; John (Autumn) Summy, Shawn (Crystal) Summy, Kirk VanDeSampel, Chris (Jessica) Quagliano, Angela (JR) Salisbury, Teresa (Don) Stickle, Don Swearingen, Matt (Cristiane) Ricciardi, Chris Ricciardi and Erin (Luke) McKnight. He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Little, wife, Debbie Little, fathers-in-law, John Boswell and Bernie Cooper, mother-in-law, Mary Ann Cooper, sister-in-law, Sue Siefers, brothers-in-law, Pat Ricciardi and Francie Quagliano, a niece, Melissa Siefers and a nephew, Jacob Summy.

Jim graduated from Kewanee High School in 1965 and served his country in U.S. Navy as a SeaBee during Vietnam. He had worked in the transportation department at Marting Engineering and Great Dane for 33 years. Jim was larger than life. He had a quick wit and kind heart. Jim loved golf and never met a golf club he didn't have to buy. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed solving the world's problems with his morning coffee group at the 19th Hole Restaurant and Burger King. Jim had an infectious personality that made everyone feel at ease. He would talk to anyone and everyone as though he had known them for years.  Jim was never afraid to be the life of the party and loved to tell jokes. His true passion in life was his family. His love for his wife, daughter and grandchildren was evident in every story he told. Jim only had to meet someone one time to gain a new friend. The world is a little less bright with his passing.

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