James "Jimmie" Eugene Pettice Jr.

James Eugene Pettice Jr, 64, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away on September 4, 2022.
He was born to parents James Eugene Pettice Sr. and Fran A. (Showalter) Bradley on December 7, 1957 in Danville, Illinois.

Jimmie was a Drywaller and Painter for 46 years working in homes across east central Illinois. He spent the last 20 plus years working for Local 363, most recently working on the athletic facilities for the University of Illinois. After 46 years of service, he hung up his whites and retired in July of 2022.

Jimmie’s life revolved around the joys of small town living in Vermilion County and living out family traditions. He and his wife Jan enjoyed country drives, spending time with their children and grandchildren and dancing any chance they got. He spent many hours driving the backroads and stopping to visit friends and family along the way. His drop-ins were his way of living out the Oakwood Strong mantra ensuring he was there for anyone who needed a helping hand or a little Jimmie humor. 

One of favorite pastimes was hunting mushrooms and looking for Native American artifacts, a tradition he passed along to his children and grandchildren. He was an avid Oakwood Comets, Fighting Illini and St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoyed following each team closely. He was a member of the Oakwood Men’s Club and an honorary member of VFW Post #4826, in Hoopeston.

Jimmie met his wife Janet in 2001 and they married on February 6th, 2004 in Danville, Illinois. Together they raised four children; Jacinda (Greg) Miller, Jolina (Andrew Powell) Pettice, Tony (Beth) Mitchell, Angie Mitchell (Pat) Kelly and enjoyed time with their grandchildren Garrett Miller, Gavin Miller, Maren Powell, Liam Powell, Jake Mitchell, Frankie Kimmell, Bryce Kelly, and Jordan Kelly.

Jimmie is survived by his parents, wife Jan Pettice; four children Jacinda (Greg) Miller, Jolina Pettice (Andrew Powell), Tony Mitchell and Angie Mitchell Kelly; siblings; Marty Bradley, Joey (Rhonda) Bradley, Angie (Dale) Fagan, Jodi Boyd, Dixie (Terry) Bowman and Ty (Tanja) Pettice; and many aunts, uncles, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Milt and Hazel Pettice,  maternal grandparents Clifford Showalter, Bob and Nora Anderson, father Ben Bradley, aunt Ruby Perdue, aunt and uncle Roger and Mary Showalter, sister-in-law Carla Bradley, brother-in-law Jeff Cox and other family and friends.

A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, September 8th at Blurton Funeral Home at 400 North Vermilion Street in Potomac, Illinois. The visitation will take place from 9 am to 11.30 am with the funeral immediately following at 11.30am. Dean Abbott and Paster Dan Hunt will officiate. Following the services, Jimmie will be laid to rest alongside his family in Gundy Cemetery in Bismarck, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Francis Children’s Hospital at 530 NE Glen Oak Ave, Peoria, IL 61637.

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