Wapella.com Mourns the Passing of James Wickenhouser

James L. Wickenhauser, 75, of Heyworth passed away at 1:28 p.m. Thursday (Oct. 13, 2011) at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Heyworth Christian Church, Heyworth. The Rev. Kurt Flora will officiate. Burial will be in Randolph Township Memorial Cemetery, Heyworth. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Heyworth.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Heyworth Ambulance Service or the Heyworth Christian Church, Heyworth.

Mr. Wickenhauser was born Dec. 9, 1935, in Wapella to Louis O. and Pearl Aileen Green Wickenhauser. He married Thelma J. Ringo on July 31, 1960, in Heyworth. She passed away Aug. 18, 2011.

Surviving are two sons, James Brett (Marcia) Wickenhauser of The Colony, Texas, and Troy James (Kelley) Wickenhauser of Downs; three daughters, Wendy Lee (Frank) Bartels of Heyworth, Terri (Howard) Springer of Bloomington, and Tammy J. (Dave) Stephens of Heyworth; 10 grandchildren, Craig (Lisa) Bartels of Downs, James (Krista) Bartels of Heyworth, Shane Cole of Texas, Mollie Springer of Bloomington, Tanner (Kate) Springer of Downs, Taylor Springer of Bloomington, Cody and Cami Wickenhauser of Downs, and Scott and Bryce Stephens of Heyworth; four great-grandchildren, Colton and Kelsey Bartels of Downs, Lucas Bartels of Heyworth, and Deacon Springer of Downs; two brothers, Don (Jackie) Wickenhauser of El Paso and Larry (Nancy) Wickenhauser of Heyworth; and one sister, Doris (Ken) Stalter of Clinton.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Dick and Mike Wickenhauser.

Jim was a 1953 graduate of Wapella High School. Jim was a U.S. Army veteran and served from 1959 to 1961. He was a residential contractor and built homes for 51 years in McLean County. He was a member of the Heyworth Christian Church and was a past president of the Heyworth Summer League for many years. In his retirement he enjoyed playing golf at the golf course in Atlanta.

Jim was a social, outgoing person who always had a joke to share. His family and friends were blessed to have known and loved him. He had many health issues with his heart, but it was made of gold. He was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Because family was so important to him, it is fitting that his grandsons will carry him to his final resting place.

All flags 1/2 mast please for US Army Veteran, Jim Wickenhouser.