James L. Schwigen Sr.

James Lee Schwigen Sr., 63, of Kewanee, died at 1:55 a.m., Sunday, March 22, 2026 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

He was born on February 11, 1963 at St. Francis Hospital in Kewanee, the son of Robert L. and Edna L. (Petty) Schwigen. He had been married to Penny (Murphy) Bengston but they later divorced. Survivors include his mother, Edna, his son, James “Jimmy” Schwigen Jr. and girlfriend, Lottie Moore, his daughter, Ashley Schwigen Reyes and boyfriend, Derek Upton, two brothers, Robert “Bobby” Schwigen and his children Ehrin, Diana and Bobby and Dave Schwigen (Nicole Skutnick-Schwigen) and children David, Hailey, Levi, Gage, Dusty and Jessica, two sisters, Dee Schwigen Brown (Stan Brown) and Lorna (Jodi) Whittmyer and children Chris and Renee, a cousin, Randy (Becky) Schwigen whom he considered as a brother and four grandchildren; Issac Schwigen, Liam Jo Schwigen-Moore and Robert and Lacey Washburn. He was preceded in death by his father.

James attended Kewanee schools. He was a scrap metal recycler for over 40 years and had bought and sold over 200 vehicles that had potential life left in them. He spent years camping and fishing at Johnson-Sauk Trail State Park, antique shopping and trading at the Sale Barn. He enjoyed buying online, selling on eBay, going to garage sales and traveling to flea markets in Rutledge, MO. He especially loved his family and cherished the time spent with family and friends.

Cremation will be accorded and no services are planned at this time. Memorials may be directed to the family. Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee is assisting the family with arrangements.

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